Everton 1-1 Liverpool: Honours even at Goodison Park

October 4, 2015
Henry Jackson

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Everton in the 225th Merseyside derby on Sunday afternoon, with Danny Ings and Romelu Lukaku getting the goals.

Everton 1–1 Liverpool

Premier League – Goodison Park – Sunday 4th October 2015

Goals: Ings (41); Lukaku (45)

Pre-match

It was pretty much exactly the starting XI many would have predicted, as Brendan Rodgers recalled his big names to the side following Thursday’s Europa League draw with FC Sion.

Daniel Sturridge and Ings started in attack, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho returned to the defence and James Milner captained the side in Jordan Henderson‘s continued absence.

Once again Rodgers went with a 3-4-2-1 formation, as he looked for a much-needed victory.

First-half

Sturridge scuffed an early effort wide, following some neat footwork, and the Englishman very nearly stole in minutes later. Skrtel also headed over.

It was a very positive start from the Reds, in what was a ferocious game, and Ings fired an effort just over the crossbar. Everton didn’t do a thing in the opening 20 minutes.

Milner hit the side-netting after a lovely one-two with Philippe Coutinho, as Liverpool continued to boss proceedings against their local rivals.

Simon Mignolet made a sensational stop to deny Steven Naismith’s close-range header, and the Belgian then did excellently to palm James McCarthy’s shot wide.

Four minutes before half-time Liverpool were ahead. Ings headed home unmarked from a corner, and the 23-year-old celebrated in typically delighted fashion.

Lukaku levelled in first-half stoppage time, however, finishing well after a poor clearance by Emre Can. It was the last piece of action before the interval.

Second-half

Tyias Browning came close to putting Everton ahead straight after the restart, but it was an otherwise low-key start to the half.

It was the Toffees who looked the most likely to find a winner, and Liverpool’s attacking threat had been almost non-existent between half-time and the 65-minute mark.

Ross Barkley curled wide from distance and Lukaku fired straight at Mignolet, while the quiet Coutinho forced Tim Howard into a stop with 20 minutes remaining.

Adam Lallana replaced Ings late in the day, as Rodgers looked for what would be his first win at Goodison Park as Liverpool manager.

Milner glanced a header harmlessly wide, while Lucas Leiva was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card after a trip on McCarthy.

Both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in the end, and we will soon find out whether a draw is good enough for Rodgers to keep his job.