Everton vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Liverpool remain mid-table in the Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in a high-tempo Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Danny Ings opened the scoring late in the first half, but his was effort cancelled out immediately by Romelu Lukaku as Everton grew into the contest. Lucas Leiva was perhaps fortunate to escape a red card late in the second period for two bookable offences, but a draw was a fair outcome.

Both sides had plenty of chances in the opening 45 minutes and could easily have gone in at the break with two or three goals apiece. However, a disappointing second half failed to live up to the first as the game became increasingly stop-start.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers maintained his unbeaten record in Merseyside derbies since taking over, but he has only won once in seven attempts, while his counterpart Roberto Martinez is yet to beat Liverpool in five matches as Everton manager.

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Liverpool started with Ings and Daniel Sturridge up front in a lineup that contained no locally-born players, while the Toffees were without John Stones and Seamus Coleman.

The visitors began much the brighter with James Milner and Sturridge denied inside the opening 10 minutes by some well-timed, inch-perfect interventions by Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka.

Howard was called into action again midway through the half by Milner as Liverpool pushed forward with intent, but after a neat one-two with Philippe Coutinho the England international saw his effort saved.

The hosts finally responded with some positive play of their own. Steven Naismith forced an excellent save from Simon Mignolet with a powerful header, and the Belgian made another outstanding stop just minutes later from James McCarthy's thunderous effort from the edge of the area.

Emre Can and Ross Barkley added some fire to the encounter, with their clash over a throw-in resulting in a booking for both.

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Shortly before the break Ings was guilty of missing a golden opportunity to put Sturridge clean through, but he redeemed himself immediately when he headed home a corner from Milner.

The Reds may not have had any locals on the field, but as Opta Joe illustrated they're reaping the rewards of having plenty of English players:

Liverpool's lead did not last long, though, and Everton achieved parity in injury time when Can's dreadful attempted clearance fell to Lukaku eight yards out, and he made no mistake in stabbing the ball past Mignolet. Sports lawyer and writer Jake Cohen, and football writer Liam Canning were among those singing his praises:

Buoyed by the goal, and in sharp contrast to the start of the first half, Everton restarted the game with positivity. As BBC Sport's Phil McNulty noted, their predatory front man ensured a tense affair for the Reds' defence:

The hosts were unable to convert their dominant spell into clear-cut chances, though, as the game lost an element of the intensity that made the first half so entertaining.

Liverpool enjoyed a couple of half-chances as Coutinho tested Howard from 18 yards and Milner headed wide, but the match disappointingly wound down with neither side looking particularly likely to find a winner.

Lucas was booked for a foul on Ross Barkley midway through the half and was substituted 10 minutes later after avoiding another yellow card for tripping the England man again.

Ings' form will be encouraging for Liverpool, but the Reds continue to show the defensive frailties that have plagued them in recent seasons, which could make their trip to Tottenham Hotspur in Week 9 a tricky one.

Manchester United and Arsenal await the Toffees in their next two matches, but with Everton looking much improved on last season they have a strong chance of picking up a positive result in at least one of the two matches.

Post-Match Reaction

According to BBC Sport's Phil McNulty, Martinez hailed his defenders' performances:

"

Phil Jagielka, in my opinion, has been the best centre-half in the Premier League for the last 12 months and his relationship with the young Ramiro Funes Mori was outstanding.

Tylas Browning and Brendan Galloway and our whole back four were outstanding, martialled by keeper Tim Howard. The senior players led very well.

"

Per the report Rodgers was pleased with his own team and gave a reminder of the players Liverpool have lost in recent years, with this being the first Merseyside derby post-Steven Gerrard's departure:

"Our mentality in the game was outstanding, the draw was the least we deserved. I have got the passion, the players have got the passion and it never waned. What is forgotten is we lost four catalysts from team and that is huge. It is a constant rebuilding—this season is about that as well."