Title-chasing Liverpool frustrated in goalless derby draw

Everton's Lucas Digne in action Action Images via Reuters

LIVERPOOL (Reuters): Liverpool were left a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after they were held 0-0 by Everton in Sunday’s Merseyside derby – the fourth draw in six games for Juergen Klopp’s side.

City, who won 1-0 at Bournemouth on Saturday, have 71 points while Liverpool are on 70, with both teams having nine games to play.

It promises to be a tense and thrilling finale to the season but Liverpool, who have frittered away a seven-point lead, will need to regain their momentum quickly if they are to push for their first league title since 1990.

Mohamed Salah had the two best openings for Liverpool before the break but his soft 15th minute shot barely troubled Jordan Pickford and then the Everton keeper was swift off his line to foil the Egyptian as he raced goalwards.

Everton harried and disrupted Liverpool well but struggled to create opportunities with Theo Walcott unable to capitalise on a rare opening, screwing his shot wide, and Alisson keeping out a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header.

Salah threatened again in the 57th minute as he bore down on Pickford but Everton defender Michael Keane stopped a near certain goal with a perfectly timed last-ditch sliding tackle.

Fabinho, who delivered a masterclass in the modern holding midfielder role, was too slow to react to a nod down from Virgil van Dijk in the box, allowing Everton to scurry the ball clear.