Liverpool extended their unbeaten run against local rivals Everton on Saturday, after a drab derby encounter at Goodison Park ended goalless.
With the visitors already looking ahead to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City on Tueday, Jurgen Klopp named a much changed side against the Toffees – with an injury-savaged squad not helping matters.
Nevertheless, it was the Reds who had the best opportunity early on – the ball fell to youngster Dominic Solanke, who could only direct his header straight at Jordan Pickford from eight yards out.
Then it was Everton’s turn to come close. Yannick Bolasie’s curling effort appeared to be heading in, but Liverpool keeper Loris Karius was at full stretch to keep the 28-year-old at bay.
With the first half ending goalless, the second half appeared to be heading in a similar vein with neither side really threatening until the seventeenth minute mark.
From then on, the hosts all of a sudden, began harrying and pressing the away side at will – with the backing of a boisterous Gwladys End. Cenk Tosun’s headed effort bounced across goal, but the arriving Seamus Coleman was unable to get any connection on it to direct it in.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also saw his curled effort drift just wide, as a late onslaught from Sam Allardyce’s side looked like it was going to get them all three points.
But Liverpool held on for a point, with the added bonus of no injuries ahead of Tuesday’s vital clash against Man City at the Etihad.
