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.
Match Highlights are up
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Thanks Vas. We were lucky to escape with a point there.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: 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. I will be back midweek to bring you the resumption of the Champions League, with Matchday 2 action on Wednesday morning from Paris featuring Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona. Until then, this has been a thrilling derby, and was ended by a superlative piece of brilliance by Everton's captain to rescue a point. The final score from Anfield was Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Awesome!! Love a late goal!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: That was a sneaky but clever effort from Barry, as he tried to play on his wrong foot into the net. It was wide, and we are done with that. Here's the oxygen. Please breathe again after that late effort. This has been magnificent, and the crowning moment was Phil Jagielka's stunner. The Kop end silenced. No bragging rights to either set of fans in the city. FULLTIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: The time is up. It all comes down to this set piece for Everton. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Take nothing away from this! This is no Liverpool defensive error. That was 30 yards out, it's the centre back, and it was a screamer. He will never be able to do that again. Mignolet had no chance. And Liverpool now give away a free kick outside the box, and it's Moreno who is carded. Can Everton win this? 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes added on, and it's still Everton who threaten in these late stages. PHIL JAGIELKA! IT IS A ROCKET, AND IT'S A POINT! LIVERPOOL STUNNED! 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90: Cleared at the near post by Manquillo, and then the follow up throw from Baines was deemed illegal. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Nervous moments for Liverpool, as Everton enjoy their most sustained period of possession, and now it's a corner for them. Only one moment is needed. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: He is not without headline is Mario Balotelli. He walks off to generous applause (too generous in my opinion), and he is now taken off for Lambert. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: The pressure kept going, and too much for McGeady to continue to persist. The shot was high, wide, and cheered in red. It's Rickie Lambert who is about to come on and fulfil a dream - to play in a Merseyside derby for his childhood team. Balotelli has likely seen his time come up in this game. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Everton retaining possession in Liverpool's half, who are struggling to clear this out or take back the ball. It's sustained pressure as Liverpool attempt to hold onto this slender lead. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: Baines gives away a silly free kick, bringing down Sterling without the ball. Aside from the time taken, it's a good position for Gerrard to whip in another set piece. He can't score from here, Everton will say. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: Now another sighter at the other end, and it's Eto'o who tried his luck from 25 yards. This goes way above Mignolet, and into the cheering Kop. Eto'o will be based at centre forward, and he pushes Lukaku in a 10 role. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: It is the final change for Everton, and it's Eto'o on for the holding midfielder Muhamed Besic. And Ballotelli with a speculative but spectacular try! It was lobbed at him about 35 yards out, the turn was exquisite, and the shot left Howard spread across the turf. It eludes the left post by a fair distance, but a great try. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: I say it, and Martinez hears it. Samuel Eto'o about to arrive onto the scene. Ten minutes for him to change Everton's fortunes. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: Now a free kick earnt by Balotelli by some excellent holding off the ball. In all, he held off four Evertonians before finally drawing Atkinson's whistle. Moments ticking away, and Everton do not look like making a consistent threat on Mignolet yet. It has been a quietish afternoon for the Reds stopper. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'75: The volume around the stadium descends to an eerie quiet nature - neither set of fans will believe this is over. Now Lallana's cross is too high for Balotelli, and it's an arm across Balotelli from Jagielka. But he earns no sympathy by falling with such consummate ease. Replays of Gerrard's goal, and it was a peach of a strike. Turning back the clock there. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'73: Everton with their second change, as Tony Hibbert is pulled for the Liverpool-born debutant Ty Browning, who will take up the right back position to likely nullify Sterling's runs. His first game for Everton, and it's in the derby at Anfield. What a moment. LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON