Even Gerrard fails to spark derby

Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, left, outjumps Everton’s Steven Naismith as Jordan Henderson watches. Richard Heathcote / Getty Images

LIVERPOOL // Even the occasion of his final Premier League Merseyside derby could not inspire Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to more heroics as the 224th meeting of the clubs disappointingly finished goalless.

The midfielder was appearing in his 33rd and last encounter – unless the Europa League conjures up a grand finale – but it was not one of his more ­memorable.

Everton made short shrift of their visitors' passing game with a compact defensive unit and hard work in midfield to ensure Gerrard left without the send-off he would have liked to have given Goodison Park.

Gerrard, 34, who leaves for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the summer, was first to leave the pitch at the end to a chorus of boos.

In truth there was not a great deal of quality on show from either side, despite Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers giving exciting teenager Jordon Ibe, 19, only his second league start and Everton fielding influential midfielder James McCarthy for the first time since December 28.

The first half was evidence of that as Everton’s work rate and organisation, coupled with Liverpool’s hastiness to impose themselves on proceedings, resulted in a scrambled affair.

Gerrard had a free kick tipped over by Joel Robles, who was beaten by Ibe before the ball hit the upright, but the visitor’s lacked decisiveness in the final third as they hesitated and over-complicated.

Liverpool dominated second-half possession but even with Daniel Sturridge on they struggled to break down the home defence.

Gerrard saw his bicycle kick deflected over by Steven Naismith while Phil Jagielka blocked Sturridge’s shot on the turn from close range.

Perhaps the liveliest moment of the second half came when Mohammed Besic fell on Ibe, tried to hold him down and then swung a foot as the pair got up. It provoked an exchange between Jordan Henderson and Naismith, which spread to the rest of the players, for which both were booked for doing very little.

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