Everton extended their dismal recent record in the Merseyside derby after playing to a 0-0 draw in a dull encounter at the Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.

Buoyed by their 3-0 drubbing of Premier League leaders Manchester City in the Champions League, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the squad, with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah notably missing from their front three.

Both sides signalled their attacking intent in the opening ten minutes of the game, but it was Klopp’s side who eventually dominated proceedings with Everton’s early intensity having fizzled out.

Dominic Solanke should have opened the scoring for the visitors when he latched onto an ball into the area, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made pulled a fine save to keep his side in the game.

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, was not to be outdone and pulled off a world-class save in the 25th minute from Yannick Bolasie’s goalbound curling effort.

The first-half was starved of further goalmouth action with the home side content with their deep defensive line as the two sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.

Everton made two changes in quick succession as Idrissa Gueye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin replaced Rooney and Bolasie respectively.

Liverpool made two changes of their own as Alex Oxlade Chamberlain replaced Milner, while Firmino came on for Mane.

The home side came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when a good passing move resulted in Seamus Cole breaking down the left, but his subsequent ball into the area failed to find anyone.

Sam Allardyce’s men missed two great opportunities late on as both sides were forced to share the spoils with Everton’s dismal record in the Merseyside Derby being extended to 17 consecutive games without victory against their arch-rivals.

Photo: Premier League website

-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za