The 220th Merseyside Derby was a drab affair played out by two disinterested and average sides.
The game clearly meant far more to the fans than the players - the players seemed to already have their thoughts tuned in to their expensive summer holidays as there was a lack of ability and guile on display at Anfield.
Everton could well have secured their first Anfield league win for 14 years, but a Sylvain Distin goal was harshly disallowed.
Liverpool had the same starting line up that punished Newcastle 6-0 a week earlier but the reds football was dull and lifeless, littered with simple passing and controlling mistakes with Johnson, Enrique and Downing all guilty of failing to create enough build up play.
Up front Sturridge was isolated and Coutinho had a quiet game compared to recent weeks.
Fellaini was the stand out player in the middle of the park and Lucas Leiva failed to get a grip of the Belgian.
Steven Gerrard was the only bright spark for the reds - his attempts at winning the ball back sadly did not ripple through to the rest of the players - and it was him who unleashed some of the better passes in a game of few chances.
Everton's disallowed goal came predictably from a corner - an aspect of football Liverpool have struggled with all season long. Baines corner found Distin who headed in. However the ref ruled that Anichebe had impeded Pepe Reina's attempts to get the ball.
Liverpool were better in the second half - both Gerrard and Sturridge having chances after taking it around the keeper. But Everton's defence held firm and the game ended with a whimper for a disappointing 0-0 in the glorious Merseyside sunshine.
Everton have a 5 point cushion over Liverpool with two games left, so look almost certain to finish the higher of the two clubs for the second season in succession.
Pleasantly surprised to hear that you think Distin’s “goal” should have stood (and I’m a blue) but can’t agree. Disallowed “goal” in previously derby was correctly disallowed because Coates CLEARLY fouled Jagielka when heading the ball. There’s still plenty of footage and images to confirm same. With regard to latest disallowed “goal” Distin fouled Carragher less blatantly but nevertheless it was still a foul. Both “goals” correctly disallowed but not for reasons given by officials.
As a blue I just hope that we don’t go on and on and on about it for months on end, and hope no one is still whingeing about it when next derby comes around.
“Fellaini was the stand out player in the middle of the park and Lucas Leiva failed to get a grip of the Belgian.”
Erhh, I didn’t see Fellaini tvist quite all season but each to his own an’all.