Everton and Liverpool played out a goalless draw in their return to action.

Sunday’s 236th Merseyside derby was the first time the fixture had been played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak in March.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side enjoyed the best chances with Dominic Calvert-Lewin testing Alisson before Tom Davies crashed a follow-up against the post.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

Welcome to the new normal

 

Even by recent standards, the 236th Merseyside derby was a strange affair.

Goodison Park witnessed its third stalemate in as many seasons but little about the latest battle for civic pride could be classed as routine.

Two teams that had not kicked a ball in anger for well over three months were always going to play out a largely insignificant goalless draw.

Yet the behind-closed-doors setting made for an intriguing affair with every player’s shout could be clearly heard in the stadium’s cavernous surroundings.

So could the strands of a lone saxophonist in the streets outside Goodison performing a medley songs by Joy Division, Z-Cars and Liam Gallagher.

It all contributed to a strange mix in what is now termed as ‘the new normal’.

Ring-rusty Reds miss Salah

 

Liverpool made another incremental step towards their first Premier League title since 1990 but the celebrations remain firmly on hold for now.

Barring a Manchester City capitulation against Burnley, Wednesday’s visit of Crystal Palace will not mark Anfield’s much-anticipated coronation evening.

Mohamed Salah’s absence from the starting line-up rendered the Reds’ attack largely toothless against an Everton defence that was there for taking.

The Egyptian had a ringside seat to the contest as cohorts Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino toiled while Takumi Minamino was largely anonymous.

Jurgen Klopp took the decision to rest Salah due to a lack of match fitness but even at half-strength, he would have been better served on the pitch.

Injuries starting to mount up

 

Besides Salah, Klopp also stood down Andy Robertson ahead of Palace’s visit.

Hindsight suggests the Liverpool manager’s caution was a blessing in disguise as two of his established players succumbed to injury either side of half time.

James Milner’s deputising at left-back in place of the Scotland international was curtailed when he picked up a knock towards the end of the first half.

Just 15 minutes from time, Joel Matip joined his vice-captain on the sidelines, with Dejan Lovren replacing him to calamitous effect in the heart of defence.

Robertson’s midweek return should solve half of Klopp’s selection headache, as should Joe Gomez stepping into the void left by Matip’s potential absence.

Injuries have been an intermittent issue in Liverpool’s surge towards the title but the prospect of a spike could mean they struggle over the finish line.

Gordon takes heart in derby bow

 

Patience has been a virtue in Anthony Gordon’s fledgling Everton career.

The midfielder showed signs of his potential in three prior appearances this season but a Premier League starting berth seemed to be an eternity away.

His first full bow in the Blues’ youngest-ever team for a league derby since February 1986 was a genuine baptism of fire for the 19-year-old.

Tasked with containing the threat of a fellow Scouser in Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gordon struggled to impose himself on the cagey encounter.

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to withdraw the teenager on the hour mark in favour of Gylfi Sigurdsson brought a chastening experience to an end.

Gordon may not have passed his derby test with flying colours but can at least take heart from helping limit the visitors to a scoreless affair.