Liverpool and Everton eked out a goalless draw in the 233rd Merseyside derby.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had hoped to reassert their lead in the Premier League table with a victory in Sunday’s 200th league meeting with their local rivals at Goodison Park.

But the Reds’ finishing touch was sorely lacking against an Everton team which appeared both resolute and resurgent following a midweek win over Cardiff City.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

The Grand Old Lady bites back

 

Evertonians aimed to make Goodison an inhospitable cauldron for the 233rd Merseyside derby. Mission well and truly accomplished on that front.

From the first strains of Z-Cars until after the final whistle, the Grand Old Lady was at its bear-pit best; singing, roaring and cajoling their team at every turn.

Marco Silva’s side clearly benefited from the desired effect with a solid showing which frustrated Liverpool’s attempts to reclaim their champions-elect status.

This was Goodison at its most ferocious, uncompromising and vociferous. Hopefully there is more of the same when other top-six sides visit in the weeks ahead.

Salah comes up short again

 

Alan Shearer might sleep a little more soundly now after Mohamed Salah ended a fourth successive outing in all competitions for Liverpool without scoring.

Until recently, the Egyptian had appeared destined to eclipse the legendary striker’s long-standing record of 50 Premier League goals for a single club.

But Salah’s lack of finesse cost him a place in the history books with the derby representing his last chance to best Shearer’s half-century in 65 appearances.

Weak finishes spurned numerous glorious chances while he was too ponderous in possession after the break, allowing Michael Keane to avert the danger.

Burnley’s visit to Anfield in seven days’ time may herald a return to form for Salah, but one goal from his previous seven outings does not inspire confidence.

Pickford gains sweet redemption

 

A road to redemption or ruin confronted Jordan Pickford in this encounter.

The Everton goalkeeper’s calamitous fumble onto his own crossbar ultimately gifted Jurgen Klopp’s side an arguably undeserved 96th-minute victory.

Facing down his tormentors for the first time since December’s last-gasp loss saw Pickford record not only a clean sheet but also an incredibly resolute display.

Routinely denying Salah became far easier than first feared, especially with Michael Keane and Lucas Digne able to assist him with crucial interventions.

Chants of ‘England’s number-one’ reverberated around Goodison. Gareth Southgate will have also quietly approved from his seat in the directors’ box.

Reds’ title push has no margin for error

 

If Liverpool are to finally win the Premier League title, the margin for error has become increasingly stringent after this result.

Dropping 11 points from nine games since the turn of the year is not exactly a mark of champions, but Manchester City have hardly been high-flying of late.

Unconvincing 1-0 wins have allowed the reigning holders to maintain pace with the Reds, but they also dropped nine points from seven games in December.

Klopp’s side cannot afford a repeat of the numerous off-days, including this game, over the past few weeks – 29 years of hurt depend on it.