Liverpool missed the chance to move to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with local rivals Everton at Goodison Park.
Philippe Coutinho put the visitors ahead early on before Kevin Mirallas hit back almost instantly for the home side.
Luis Suarez's free kick then saw Liverpool go back in front before a second-half brace from Romelu Lukaku looked to have given Everton the spoils.
However, Daniel Sturridge came off the bench to net an equaliser for the away side with just minutes remaining.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded on Merseyside.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Merseyside derby as Everton host Liverpool in the Premier League. This one has all the makings of a cracker. We should have some team news for you shortly.
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Johnson, Flanagan, Agger, Skrtel; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho; Suarez
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Alberto, Moses, Sturridge, Sakho, Sterling
The visitors have made a total of two changes as Jon Flanagan and Joe Allen replace Daniel Sturridge and Aly Cissokho. Sturridge is understood to be carrying a knock but makes the bench for the Reds, while Cissokho is sidelined.
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Pienaar, Barkley; Lukaku
EVERTON SUBS: Joel, Heitinga, Stones, Jelavic, Osman, Naismith, Deulofeu
Just the one change for Everton then as Ross Barkley replaces Leon Osman, who makes the bench.
So, what's at stake in today's game between these two local rivals? Everton can muscle their way into the top four if they come away with the spoils, while three points for Liverpool would see Brendan Rodgers's side go temporarily to the top of the table.
Everton come into this fixture on the back of a disappointing goalless draw at Crystal Palace two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Liverpool are likely to be full of confidence following their 4-0 demolition of Fulham at Anfield.
There's also an intriguing sub-plot today as Everton manager Roberto Martinez takes charge of his first Merseyside derby. The Spaniard turned down the chance to take charge of Liverpool in summer 2012 and recently insisted that he had no regrets doing so. He's also claimed that the "unique" atmosphere is one that he is relishing.
Martinez told The Mirror earlier this week: "It is a massive game. First and foremost it's a glamorous fixture. It's one of those that is followed worldwide.
"The significance, passion and history is reflected in the game. I know the Merseyside derby is quite unique and special. I don't think it can be compared to any other in world football.
"I have experienced derbies, the South Wales derby would be one that is full of passion. There have been many local clashes where you could see passion, but I don't think they will be anywhere near what is going to happen on Saturday."
Martinez has already enjoyed a positive start to life at Goodison Park after joining the club from Wigan Athletic over the summer, but a win for his side today would make him almost a saint in the eyes of the Everton faithful.
And you wouldn't bet against Everton getting something out of the game this afternoon. The Toffees are currently on an unbeaten run of four matches in the Premier League, with two wins and two draws from those fixtures.
However, Liverpool make the short trip across the Stanley Park divide in decent form themselves. The Reds have seven wins and just two defeats from their opening 11 matches and will surely be fired up knowing that they can go to the top of the table with another victory today.
RECENT FORM:
EVERTON: WLWWDD
LIVERPOOL: WWDWLW
The last time that these two met at Goodison Park the played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. A typically feisty encounter, the Toffees recovered from being 2-0 down to earn themselves a point.
HEAD TO HEAD: Liverpool have the edge when it comes to the head-to-head record between the sides down the years. The Reds have won 76 matches, while Everton have come out on top 60 times. Meanwhile, there have been 63 draws.
When it comes to playing at Goodison Park, Everton have won 36 games compared to Liverpool's 34.
In recent times it's Liverpool who have taken the spoils more often than not. The Reds have won three times in the last six, with the other three matches being draws. Everton's last victory over their rivals came in October 2010 with a 2-0 triumph on home turf.
Needless to say, the atmosphere inside Goodison Park is rocking. Both sets of fans are creating an incredible din. Not long until kickoff now.
Five minutes until this one gets underway. The players are gradually making their way out of their respective changing rooms and into the tunnel.
Here come the players out of the tunnel and into the white hot atmosphere of Goodison Park. We're just minutes away from kickoff for this 200th Merseyside derby.
The pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Everton to get us underway. Here we go!
It's been Everton who have enjoyed the best of the opening few minutes. The hosts are looking very purposeful on the ball, putting a couple of crosses into the Liverpool box that the visitors deal with.
GOAL! EVERTON 0-1 LIVERPOOL (COUTINHO)
Liverpool make the breakthrough and it's Philippe Coutinho with the goal! A Gerrard corner was flicked on by Suarez, and there was Coutinho at the back post to poke the ball into the net. A great start for the visitors, but the Everton defending there was absolutely non-existent.
That goal most certainly came against the run of play. Everton started well up to that point, though it's the Liverpool fans who are now in full voice. The home side look slightly shell-shocked.
GOAL! EVERTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL (MIRALLAS)
What was that about Everton looking shell-shocked? The hosts are level almost instantly thanks to an opportunistic goal from Kevin Mirallas! Baines's free kick fell to the Belgian in the area and he made no mistake to nudge the ball into the roof of the net from close range. What a start to this match!
Make no mistake, all of the momentum is now back with Everton. The Toffees are surging forward whenever they can to put Liverpool under pressure.
CHANCE! Nearly another for Everton! Pienaar's defence-splitting pass put Lukaku through, but Mignolet did well to come off his line quickly and put the striker off. It's frantic stuff at the moment.
Liverpool are struggling to get hold of the ball right now. Everton are using possession well and closing down quickly when they don't have it. Meanwhile, Lukaku is causing Agger and Skrtel plenty of problems.
One player who has impressed during these opening few minutes is Ross Barkley. The young midfielder never looks flustered when he's on the ball and is always full of confidence to run at the Liverpool defence.
GOAL! EVERTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL (SUAREZ)
Liverpool's talisman Luis Suarez puts the visitors back into the lead with a wonderful free kick! The Uruguayan was fouled around 25 yards from goal before dusting himself down and curling a superb effort around the Everton wall and into the bottom corner. Incredible.
CHANCE! Everton come within inches of grabbing another equaliser as Barkley's cross evaded everyone in the box before Mignolet got down to tip it around the post. Unfortunately for Everton, nothing comes from the corner as Distin is penalised.
There's no let up in this match as both sides continue to play at 100mph. Big encounters like this can often disappoint, but this has been nothing but sensational so far.
Something of a half-chance for Everton as Mirallas flashes an ambitious strike wide of Mignolet's far post. That shot had plenty of venom on it but just lacked some accuracy.
A few too many cooks there for Everton as a number of blus shirts lined up on the edge of the area, but not one had a crack at goal. The match has dropped ever so slightly in terms of tempo, but it's still a superb spectacle. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley goes into the book for simulation after taking a tumble under the challenge of Lucas.
A bit of a worry for Liverpool here with Suarez struggling with some kind of injury. The striker is not moving well at all.
YELLOW CARD: Kevin Mirallas gets a booking for a high challenge on Suarez, but the Belgian is lucky to still be on the pitch. Here lunged in with his foot up by Suarez's thigh, though referee Phil Dowd only deems it worthy of a yellow.
Phil Dowd took a very long time indeed to make that decision, and it looks like it was the wrong one. Meanwhile, Suarez is still on the pitch and seems to be okay.
This game has become a little bit more scrappy in the last few minutes. There have been a few more silly fouls from both sides, while the goalmouth action has dried up. Can that change before the half-time whistle?
It's all getting a bit heated out there at the moment. Gerrard and Barry challenge for the ball before Distin takes issue with the Liverpool captain. The Reds will be keen to keep hold of their lead for the next few minutes, though there is likely to be a fair few minutes of stoppage time.
Three minutes added time.
Baines and Barkley link up in the box before the former hits a left-footed effort wide of goal. That's probably that for the first half.
HALF TIME: EVERTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL
Phil Dowd blows the half-time whistle and Liverpool go in the happier of the two teams as they lead 2-1 at the break. Philippe Coutinho's early goal was cancelled out almost instantly by Kevin Mirallas before Luis Suarez put the visitors back in front with his beautifully-crafted free kick.
All in all, that was a superb opening half of football. Both teams played with real passion and urgency, resulting in a thrilling 45 minutes.
However, a big talking point is sure to be whether Kevin Mirallas should still be on the pitch. He dug his studs right into Luis Suarez's thigh while challenging for the ball, but Phil Dowd only showed him the yellow card. We may not have heard the last of that.
As it stands Liverpool will be going to the top of the Premier League table if things stay as they are. You can see the projected standings here.
However, Liverpool will know full well that this match is far from over. The players are back out and it will be the Reds to kick us off for this second half. Strap yourselves in.
This second half is only a few minutes old but there have already been plenty of robust challenges from both sets of players. Mirallas, who has already been booked, is the latest to put himself about by going into the back of Suarez.
SUBSTITUTION: An early change for Everton here as Leighton Baines, who looks to be carrying a bit of a knock on his leg, comes off for Gerard Deulofeu.
Deulofeu gets stuck into the action instantly by breaking down the left and putting a cross into the box, but it's too deep and Liverpool deal with the danger.
CHANCE! What a glorious opportunity for Everton to equalise! Deulofeu was sent clear through on goal, but Mignolet came off his line to narrow the angle and save what was a tame shot.
The two teams are struggling to keep hold of the ball at the moment. When one wins possession they lose it soon after. That said, it's still a high-tempo match with plenty of action at both ends. Everton are looking a bit more up for right now though.
MISS! That should be 3-1 to Liverpool. Suarez did brilliantly to weave his way through the Everton defence before the ball fell to Allen, but the midfielder somehow slid the ball wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy. How crucial could that be?
YELLOW CARD: Allen's afternoon gets that little bit worse as he goes into the book for a foul on Mirallas. Meanwhile, McCarthy shoots high and wide from all of 25 yards.
SAVE! Another fantastic stop from Mignolet keeps Liverpool ahead! Lukaku worked some space inside the box, only to see his clipped effort pushed away by the Belgian shotstopper. He's come to his side's rescue a couple of times in this half.
YELLOW CARD: Liverpool midfielder Lucas is the latest name to go into the book as he clatters into Pienaar.
SUBSTITUTION: A change for Everton here as Victor Moses replaces Joe Allen. It's not been the best afternoon for the Welshman.
SAVE! Another fine stop from Mignolet sees the Belgian keep out Lukaku's shot on the angle. There's a bit of nervousness from both sides now as this game enters the final 20 minutes.
GOAL! EVERTON 2-2 LIVERPOOL (LUKAKU)
Everton get their equaliser thanks to Romelu Lukaku! The striker saw his initial free kick saved by Mignolet, but the hosts kept the pressure on Liverpool. The ball eventually found it's way to Lukaku in the box and he made not mistake by calmly slotting it into the net.
This match ended 2-2 last season - are we going to see the same result again? We've got around 15 minutes of normal time left though. Plenty of time for one of these teams to get a winner. What a finish we're in store for.
CHANCE! A quick Everton counter-attack sees Lukaku have three teammates up with him, but the Belgian's pass to Mirallas is a poor one and Liverpool break up the other end before Howard saves from Suarez.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Liverpool here as Daniel Sturridge enters the fray in place of Lucas. The visitors are going for the win.
GOAL! EVERTON 3-2 LIVERPOOL (LUKAKU)
Unbelievable! Everton lead and it's Romelu Lukaku again! The hosts won a corner and it was the big striker who rose above everyone else to head in powerfully past Mignolet. What a match this has been. Stunning.
SUBSTITUTION: Everton make a quick change as John Stones comes on for Steven Pienaar.
Not long for Liverpool to salvage something out of this game now. Looking back, how crucial was that miss from Joe Allen that could have put the visitors 3-1 ahead? Meanwhile, Leon Osman replaces Kevin Mirallas for Everton. Speaking of Mirallas, Liverpool are sure to have something to say about his challenge on Luis Suarez come the final whistle.
GOAL! EVERTON 3-3 LIVERPOOL (STURRIDGE)
Would you believe it?! Liverpool have their equaliser through substitute Daniel Sturridge! The visitors earned a free kick out wide that was whipped into the box, and there was Sturridge to flick the ball past Tom Howard.
Four minutes added time. Does this crazy match have another goal in it?
CHANCE! Nearly a winner for Liverpool, but Moses can only glance his header over the crossbar following a cross from the left side.
FULL TIME: EVERTON 3-3 LIVERPOOL
The full-time whistle goes to bring an end to what is quite possible the best game of the season so far. Everton and Liverpool have drawn 3-3 after a truly memorable derby. Amazing.
Anyway, that's all from me for now but don't forget that you can follow live text coverage of all today's other Premier League matches right here on Sports Mole. So, have a look around, see what takes your fancy and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Thank you very much for your company, and goodbye!
