Jordon Ibe Offers Spark for Liverpool as Steven Gerrard Denied Dream Final Derby

The 224th Merseyside derby ended in stalemate, a stark contrast to last season's 3-3 draw in this fixture and the first 0-0 between Liverpool and Everton at Goodison Park since 2000.

Liverpool did most of the probing in the first half, while Everton came into the game during the second 45. Overall, it was a poor game, devoid of any real attacking intervention.

The closest either side came to a goal was when 19-year-old Jordon Ibe hit a thunderous strike from 25 yards early on.

While Ibe was making his first Premier League start since his surprise debut in May 2013, Steven Gerrard was making his 33rd and likely final Merseyside derby appearance (the two sides could theoretically meet in the Europa League).

Gerrard, the leading Premier League scorer in this fixture with nine goals, struggled to have any impact on proceedings. Occupying one of the attacking midfield spots, he was very much on the periphery of the match throughout.

Despite his lack of influence on the game, though, Brendan Rodgers failed to substitute his captain, allowing sentiment to get in the way of logic and in-game management. Rodgers kept Gerrard on, hoping he could deliver a match-winning moment rather than bringing on a more lively option such as Lazar Markovic.

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Rodgers has decided to forego this season of trying for the top four and instead is making this a year to send off Steven Gerrard. #LFC

— Vince (@vincetalksfooty) February 7, 2015"

While Gerrard remained on, labouring between midfield and attack, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling made way, with Rickie Lambert coming on for the latter.

Coutinho's removal was perhaps due to injury, having received more than one heavy challenge in the first half, but his departure saw Liverpool completely lose momentum in the game, and they barely threatened thereafter.

The Reds further lost attacking threat with the departure of Sterling with eight minutes remaining. Daniel Sturridge came on but had little opportunity to threaten.

Gerrard

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The decision of Rodgers to play Gerrard for the full 90 minutes screamed of a manager afraid to remove an iconic player playing in his final Merseyside derby. Rodgers allowed sentiment and emotion to cloud his judgement.

It's a stark contrast to the derby back in 2007, when then-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez subbed a prime-era Gerrard for a young and, at the time, much-maligned Lucas Leiva with 18 minutes to go and the score tied at 1-1. Liverpool won the game 2-1, courtesy of a late Dirk Kuyt penalty.

"I like to make decisions based on what is best for the team," said Benitez post-match, via the Daily Mail. "In this case Lucas had a big part in our win."

Too often in football, supporters and, on occasion, managers allow sentiment to get in the way of the team's best interests—and the truth is, Liverpool are a far better, more dynamic team without Gerrard.

Rodgers' job is not to set up Roy of the Rovers style scripts—mind, Gerrard has provided plenty of them during his Liverpool career—it is to win football matches for Liverpool. Cold hard judgement is required. 

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Poor performance from players too. Weren't at their best. Didn't help by those subs. Too much sentiment from Rodgers #lambert #gerrard

— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) February 7, 2015"

Rodgers has struggled to manage Gerrard throughout his Liverpool career, and Gerrard's decision to leave for LA Galaxy this summer will take the decisions that Rodgers is struggling to make out of the manager's hands. It's a blessing for the Northern Irishman and will allow him to focus on the exciting young group of players who are the club's future.

This Liverpool side need dynamic, energetic players, able to press opponents, win the ball high up the pitch, be involved in multiple phases of play and quickly turn defence into attack. Thirty-four-year-old Gerrard doesn't fit this style.

The future is with players such as Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge and, indeed, Ibe.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Liverpool's best performers of late have been the aforementioned duo of Coutinho and Sterling, plus Emre Can—who was excellent again in defence—and Jordan Henderson has become the leader in midfield.

Liverpool were perhaps struggling with the aftereffects of the late win at Bolton Wanderers in midweek, too, which puts into question the decision to place such priority on a cup competition when Champions League qualification via the top four is far more important to the football club's future.

On a day where Southampton secured a 93rd-minute winner and Tottenham Hotspur—the next visitors to Anfield—beat fellow top-four challengers and neighbours Arsenal in the north London derby, this was very much two points lost for Liverpool.