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A late equaliser has seen the Merseyside Derby end in a 1-1 draw, as Liverpool and Everton split the points they so desperately hoped to claim.
That goal will belong in any “Greatest Goals” compilation – but in the overall scheme, the table changes little.
Liverpool move to 7 points, while Everton rise to 6. It’s hardly the stuff to make the others in the Premier League fear either side on current form. Both teams will feel they have better to offer.
The final score from Anfield was Liverpool 1-1 Everton.
FULLTIME:
Liverpool 1
Everton 1
The stakes are high, and the launchpad needs to be set for both Liverpool and Everton this Saturday in the English Premier League‘s 221st Merseyside Derby. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9:30pm (AEST).
Families clash for bragging rights in this most fiercely friendly of fixtures. One mile apart, red versus blue – Liverpool and Everton symbolise the very spirit in which English football has been built upon.
It’s easy to get carried away and try and verbalise the importance of it all. The truth is, much rides on the result that go beyond inane one-upmanship.
The poor form that has exemplified both teams’ start to the season embodies the need for a result that can propel their fortunes into an upward spiral. Nothing sets the juices flowing or the motivation to maximum than facing off the club you share a city’s affections with.
Liverpool fans can feel justifiably worried. Wednesday morning’s League Cup penalty marathon against Middlesbrough may have eventuated in Reds progress, but it further underlined the lack of fluency that has beset Brendan Rodgers’ team.
The energy that underpinned Liverpool’s title challenge last season has so far been missing, with ideas lacking in attack while the team continues to showcase defensive frailties. Beyond citing the now departed Luis Suarez, the absence of Daniel Sturridge has meant Liverpool have needed to rely on Mario Balotelli – talented but not the versatile frontman Brendan Rodgers thrives on having.
Indeed, Everton’s own recent defensive struggles may yet get their easiest day yet against the enigmatic Italian.
Sturridge is likely at best to feature from the bench, while Rodgers will hope for more from playmaker Philippe Coutinho to support the fine work of Raheem Sterling.
Following a stellar preseason, the Brazilian’s ineffective start has also served to deny Liverpool their usual high-octane approach to games.
Meanwhile, question marks continue to surround the future of Steven Gerrard, who Everton will target as a weak foil for Liverpool’s struggling back four, as well as their faltering goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
For Roberto Martinez and Everton, the chance to amend their 4-0 humiliation at Anfield last season will serve as even further incentive to kickstart a campaign that has been full of their own speed humps.
Unlike their hated rivals, Everton haven’t had trouble finding the net, scoring 11 goals in games that have only yielded five points.
Rather, Roberto Martinez’s struggle has been to tighten his own defence, as the edifice of the David Moyes era continues to dissipate at Goodison Park. While that is only likely to be tested by Raheem Sterling on current form, Martinez will be aware of the effective running of Jordan Henderson, and how the Liverpool vice-captain instigates much of the Reds’ movement. For this reason, Gareth Barry is likely to be Everton’s key figure in midfield, where his positioning will be key to deny any forward pressing from the home side.
In a game of suspect defence, goals are likely to rain down aplenty. Boasting the Belgian duo of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, as well as the glittering veteran Samuel Eto’o of the bench, Everton may be primed to record their first Anfield victory since 1999.
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