Everton and Liverpool share the spoils in quiet Merseyside Derby

Everton temporarily stalled Liverpool’s march towards the title by holding them to a goalless draw at Goodison Park.

The visitors, who left Mo Salah on the bench for the entire game, had hoped to move one win away from the title by claiming all three points in the Derby. However, in a rather drab game, they weren’t able to find a way to unlock a stubborn Everton defence and were forced to settle for a point. It was a rusty performance from both sides in what was their first action since the league resumed and a point was just about a fair result. 

In a game of few chances, the first half was a particularly forgettable affair. A Richarlison shot across the face of goal from the left hand side of the penalty area in the fourth minute was the only Everton chance of note in the first 45 minutes.

Whilst for Liverpool two Trent Alexander-Arnold free kicks were their main attacking threat. The first, half an hour in, was met by Joël Matip but he could only direct his free header wide from six yards out. The second, was well struck from the edge of the area but just about fielded by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. 

Aside from those two opportunities, Roberto Firmino scuffed a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area after a superb lay off from Sadio Mane.

The second half wasn’t much of an improvement on the first showing. Naby Keita, arguably Liverpool’s best performer, volleyed wide after a clever one-two with Firmino five minutes after the restart.

Then, just after the hour mark Everton had their first meaningful chance. Richarlison was put through on goal, during a slick counter attack that stemmed originally from a Liverpool corner. However, the Brazilian forward lacked composure as he broke into the penalty area and fired wildly over the bar whilst off balance.

Just a couple of minutes later, another Alexander-Arnold free kick threatened to break the deadlock. However, it cannoned off the wall and slipped narrowly behind for a corner.

The best chance of the game went the way of the home side with just ten minutes remaining.  Richarlison this time turned provider as he crossed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin who tried an audacious backheel which was brilliantly saved by Alisson. However, the Brazilian goalkeeper couldn’t hold the effort and Tom Davies reached the rebound first. His strike looked goalbound had it not been for an excellent sliding intervention by Joe Gomez which deflected it on to the post.

From the resultant corner, Calvert-Lewin then headed wide after a Mason Holgate flick on when he looked certain to score. 

Everton continued to build up a head of steam in the closing stages as Richarlison rolled Dejan Lovren to break into the penalty area but saw his shot well saved by Alisson.

There was a late chance for Liverpool to steal the game as Richarlison fouled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the penalty area, giving away a free kick. Fabinho took charge of the set piece but his curled effort was tipped over the bar by Pickford meaning both sides had to settle for a point.

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Digne, Gordon (Sigurðsson 60), Gomes, Davies, Iwobi (Bernard 87), Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin (Kean 93).

Unused Subs: Baines, Stekelenburg, Martina, Branthwaite, Virginia, Baningime.

Liverpool: Alisson, Milner (Gomez 42), Matip (Lovren 74), van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Keita (Wijnaldum 65), Fabinho, Henderson, Minamino (Oxlade-Chamberlain 46), Mane, Firmino (Origi 74).

Unused Subs: Salah, Adrian, Elliott, Williams.