Everton vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades, Reaction from Merseyside Derby
Liverpool saw Steven Gerrard's final Merseyside derby end in a dour 0-0 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Liverpool captain, who will join the Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, almost went out with a goal from an early free-kick, but in a symbolic twist, it was a younger team-mate who went closest as the baton was passed over from the Anfield legend.
Jordon Ibe, 19, made only his second Premier League start for the Reds and struck the post in the 27th minute in the closest attempt the visitors had on goal.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Everton were without Leighton Baines through a knee injury, with Bryan Oviedo taking his place in the starting XI. Daniel Sturridge and Lazar Markovic were on the bench.
Gerrard almost made an early impact when his 25-yard free-kick forced Joel Robles to tip over.
Liverpool were forced into an early change when Lucas Leiva withdrew due to a groin injury, with Joe Allen coming on in his place in the 16th minute.
Dithering in the Everton defence almost cost them dearly when a threaded Raheem Sterling ball almost found Ibe at the far post, but Joel recovered ground to block.
Everton's first half-chance came in the 22nd minute when Seamus Coleman broke down the right and crossed into the area. Emre Can seemed to have it covered, but the ball fell to Steven Naismith. The striker got caught in two minds and the opportunity was lost.
Ibe almost gifted the home side at one end with a loose ball to Mamadou Sakho, but he then set off on a run before unleashing a strike which came back off the post in the 27th minute.
Liverpool had enjoyed the better of the first half, just, but Everton were preventing them from making any in-roads.
There was a bizarre moment on the Everton bench before the interval when Ross Barkley stood stripped on the sidelines in preparation to replace Naismith, but the England international eventually went back to his seat.
Kevin Mirallas offered up an early chance in the second half, but his long-range free-kick was just wide of Simon Mignolet's goal.
A clever ball from Philippe Coutinho set up Sterling for a chance, but Joel saved at his near post. Gerrard almost scored with an overhead kick from the resulting corner, but Naismith flicked over his own bar with a header.
The Brazil international was then surprisingly withdrawn from the action, with Sturridge replacing him in the 56th minute.
Football editor Melissa Reddy couldn't understand the decision to remove Coutinho:
Everton had lost the initiative and a change was needed. Roberto Martinez obliged, with Aaron Lennon coming on for Mirallas on the hour mark.
Brendan Rodgers switched Sterling for Rickie Lambert with eight minutes remaining as he chased a late winner.
Barkley eventually did make an appearance with five minutes left to replace Naismith, while Antolin Alcaraz came on for Muhamed Besic.
And Barkley almost helped to open the scoring with his first touch, a cross-field pass to find Coleman, who forced a fine save from Mignolet.
The Everton substitute was clearly making a difference in the dying moments, and another clever ball set up Lennon for a dangerous sortie into the Liverpool box.
But there was to be no fairy-tale script for Barkley, nor a dream ending for Gerrard in front of an Everton crowd for the final time.
The point each will do neither side much good as Everton attempt to drag themselves away from the relegation zone, while Liverpool still harbour Champions League ambitions for next season.
The Toffees have opened a seven-point gap on the bottom three, but the Reds could not take advantage of sixth-placed Arsenal's defeat at Tottenham earlier in the day and are three points behind the Gunners.
Selected Player Ratings
Steven Gerrard: B+
The Liverpool captain went close with a free-kick in the early stages, but his influence waned as the game wore on.
A quiet first 45 minutes for the Everton striker as the home side quelled the threat of Liverpool, but the Belgian only sparked into life in the final 15 minutes.
Jordon Ibe: A
Impressive display by the Liverpool youngster, who almost scored a memorable Merseyside derby goal. A wayward pass in the first period betrayed his inexperience, but a solid game.
What's Ahead
Everton will now face the daunting trip to Chelsea on Wednesday, while Liverpool entertain Tottenham 24 hours earlier in the Premier League.
Post-Match Reaction
