Liverpool looked to be on their way to a huge three points in the Merseyside Derby after a beautiful costless kick goal from Steven Gerrard in the 64th minute. Everton captain Phil Jagielka had other ideas though as he converted a 25-yard strike in second half stoppage time to split the points in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Both clubs had shouts for penalties in the first ten minutes of the match. It would be Everton with the first shout after five minutes when Romelu Lukaku went down inside the penalty area. Martin Atkinson was not having any of it signaling to play on. This did not sit well with the visiting support who would let Atkinson know their feelings about that no-call over the next few minutes with loud boos.

Four minutes later, Liverpool would have a penalty shout denied when Gareth Barry blocked a Raheem Sterling shot with his arm. Unlike the other call, there should have been a penalty given on this call as Barry's arm was above his head when the contact was made. The Reds were unlucky there.

Adam Lallana got the first big chance of the game in the 11th minute as he out jumped Jagielka on a corner kick. His header was hit hard towards the bottom corner of the goal but Tim Howard was able to get down and get a hand to the attempt. This was the second save by Howard in less than a minute as he pushed a bouncing shot from Mario Balotelli out of bounds on the play before.

Liverpool would see the next big chance 20 minutes later as Mario Balotelli found himself wide open in the six-yard box. Alberto Moreno found some space down the left side, he whipped in a cross towards the Italian striker but he put too much on the effort sending it over the head of Balotelli. This led to a counter-attack from substitute Aiden McGeady but his shot was easily stopped by Simon Mignolet.

The final big scoring chance of the first half fell to Raheem Sterling. The play started when Jordan Henderson intercepted a very poor pass by Everton, he sent Sterling ahead with a beautiful ball. Sterling cut inside and hammered a shot that was palmed out of play by Howard.

There would be more penalty shouts towards the beginning of the second half. Mario Balotelli went down in the box just two minutes after the restart drawing the cries from the home support. Referee Martin Atkinson said no, which was the right call as the replays would confirm.

The first goal of the game came in the 64th minute from the boot of Steven Gerrard. Leighton Baines conceded a costless kick about 25 yards away from goal. Gerrard curled his shot over the wall and into the net despite Howard getting a hand on the shot. The crowd erupted into raptures as the ball hit the back of the net. 1-0 to the home side.

Balotelli nearly doubled the lead two minutes later as he broke in behind the defense. Howard came off his line to challenge but Balotelli was able to get his shot away. The shot beat Howard but could not beat the bar as it rang off the post and out.

Everton pushed for an equalizer leaving them exposed defensively at times. With three minutes of stoppage time looming, Roberto Martinez's men threw everything at the Liverpool goal. The ball was set in the path of Phil Jagielka from about 25 yards and he hit the perfect ball kissing the bottom of the crossbar as it tucked into the far corner.

That would be the end of the match with the final score Liverpool 1, Everton 1.

It was a big result for Everton who have lost their last two matches including a mid-week loss to Swansea City to crash out of the League Cup in the Third Round. The Toffees have only won a single game in the Premier League this season. They face another very difficult week ahead as they travel to Russia on Thursday for a Europa League match against FC Krasnodar at the Kuban Stadium. Everton will then travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for a big league match with Manchester United.

It was a disappointing result for Liverpool who have not won in the league for a month. They are currently sitting in 12th place in the Barclays Premier League after six matches. Liverpool also played mid-week in the League Cup in a thrilling tie with Middlesbrough. The match finished 2-2 after extra time and took 30 penalty kicks before the Reds came away with a 14-13 win. Liverpool also faces a double this week with a Champions League match with FC Basel in Switzerland on Wednesday before returning to Anfield on Saturday for a league match with West Bromwich Albion.