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Steven Gerrard’s final Premier League Merseyside derby ended in a frustrating stalemate at Goodison Park.
There was a huge amount of build-up, as there always is ahead of this fixture, over the Reds captain’s final chance to hurt the Toffees before moving Stateside in the summer.
But this time around the famous clash failed to live up to the hype, as both sides lacked quality in the final third to really punish their opponents.
Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe, who was a surprise name on Brendan Rodger’s starting line-up, came closest to a goal; the 19-year-old really unlucky to see his long-range effort clatter the post in the first-half.
Everton were second-best in the first 45 but came to life after the break, with the introduction of deadline day arrival Aaron Lennon giving Roberto Martinez’s side an added spark.
Seamus Coleman forced a save from Simon Mignolet with the Toffees' only shot on target as they piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but their red rivals stood firm – with German midfielder-come-defender Emre Can particularly impressive – and the sides eventually had to settle for a point apiece.
Gerrard would have been looking to add to his prolific form against Liverpool’s bitterest of rivals in his last derby clash before moving to LA Galaxy at the end of the season.
The skipper had ten goals in 32 appearances against Everton – only Reds legend Ian Rush had more – including Liverpool’s goal to seal a 1-1 draw when the sides last met in the top flight in September.
But he was ominously quiet throughout this game, going closest to a goal with an acrobatic volley which was deflected narrowly over the bar.
Liverpool looked the more likely team to score in an entertaining, though largely uneventful, opening half; 19-year-old Ibe cutting in from the right after a mazy run and letting fly from 25 yards, with his shot beating the stretching Joel Robles but nicking the outside of the far left post.
Romelu Lukaku was the focus of most of Everton’s attacking moves, with his team-mates always looking to hit him with long balls forward and crosses from wide, but the out-of-form frontman, who has scored just two goals ten Premier League games, continued his struggles.
Lennon’s 60th minute introduction gave Everton some added attacking zip which saw Liverpool looking nervous for the first time in the game, though the hosts were often let down by their final ball.
Everton have just two wins in their last 14 games in all competitions and that record told as their forward surges left them open on the counter, though Liverpool, too, struggled to muster that clinical touch in and around the box.
Rodgers looked to fit-again striker Daniel Sturridge to give his side a boost off the bench, though the England international failed to really make a telling impact in a frantic end to the game.
If there was going to be a late winner, it was going to be a blue one, as Lukaku troubled Can with a number of dangerous runs down the left channel, but the German did well to shut out the striker.
Coleman then went close to a last-gasp goal following a neat through-ball from substitute Ross Barkley, though the full-back’s angled shot was straight at Mignolet.
A point each was perhaps the fair result, though there is little doubt Liverpool are sitting more comfortable just four points adrift of the top four, while Everton remain in 12th place.
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