Everton and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw in their first Merseyside derby of the season this afternoon.
The visitors went into the clash under increased scrutiny following speculation surrounding the future of manager Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks, while Everton were slight favourites for the clash.
Danny Ings opened the scoring for Liverpool on 41 minutes, before Romelu Lukaku levelled the scores on the stroke of half time. Neither side was able to find a winner in the second half, as both teams had to settle for a point.
Read how all the action unfolded at Goodison Park with Sports Mole's full text commentary below.
Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's full match commentary of Everton vs. Liverpool, the first Merseyside derby of the season on what is the biggest day of action this season so far.
There are two hours to go until kickoff this afternoon, but there is plenty to talk about before a ball is kicked on Merseyside, with managerial uncertainty dominating the backpages in recent weeks.
The vast majority of that speculation has centred on Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks. The Mirror reports that the Northern Irishman could depart Anfield should his side lose today.
That could seem a bit harsh on Rodgers though. The Toffees are just three points off Leicester City in the Champions League places, and have looked far more convincing this season than last. Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu have been in good form recently, while John Stones and Phil Jagielka have looked more secure at the back than last year.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been speaking of the threat that Lukaku poses to the Reds today, and you can read what he had to say here.
For all the talk of Rodgers' future, Liverpool are only one point behind their local rivals in the Premier League table. Results have not been as expected for the Reds though - in particular, a heavy 3-0 loss by West Ham United at Anfield. Press rumours are leading fans to believe it's a matter of when - not if - Rodgers loses his job.
Rumours have flown around about the possibility of former Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp moving to Merseyside to replace Rodgers, and the German reportedly rejected an offer to take the Mexico job this week, amidst speculation of an opening in the Premier League.
A win today would certainly lift at least some of the pressure on Rodgers though, and recent form points towards a red success this afternoon. Liverpool have not lost a Merseyside derby since a 2-0 defeat on October 17 2010, when Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta scored the winning goals for the Toffees.
That said, five of the last six clashes between the two sides have ended as a draw, including a goalless stalemate at Goodison Park in February.
Liverpool vice-captain James Milner believes that a win for his side today would provide a major lift for the Reds. Read what he had to say ahead of this afternoon's clash here.
The blue half of Merseyside has certainly been cheerier in recent weeks, and the fans have good reason to be confident today. The Toffees are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions.
Everton fans will not want to be reminded of their history in the fixture though. The side have lost 114 Merseyside derbies since the very first on October 13 1894 (a 3-0 win for the Blues). The Toffees have won 82 in comparison, while 79 matches have been drawn.
A certain Spaniard doesn't want a history lesson though. Everton manager Roberto Martinez isn't interested in what's happened in the past, and you can read what he had to say about his side's record here.
Team news will arrive in around 20 minutes time, and Everton fans will be hoping that John Stones and Seamus Coleman have been passed fit after their recent injuries. Muhamed Besic is likely to be absent with a hamstring problem though, while winger Kevin Mirallas is currently serving a suspension.
As for Liverpool, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Dejan Lovren have been ruled out of this afternoon's clash. Christian Benteke could return to the matchday squad following a hamstring problem, but with the two Daniels - Ings and Sturridge - in good recent form, the Belgian is far from assured of a starting place.
Earlier this week, the Sports Mole team took to the sofa to discuss this afternoon's clash. Find out what we had to say about today's match here:
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp believes his old team should keep calm over the future of Rodgers, and not hit the panic button on the back of today's derby. Find out what he had to say here.
Liverpool made a host of signings in the summer, and one man who has begun to find his feet in a red shirt is Danny Ings. The former Burnley man has netted two goals in his last four appearances, and linked up well with the returning Daniel Sturridge against Aston Villa last weekend.
Sturridge netted twice in his side's last Premier League fixture, and his return has been more than timely for his under-pressure manager.
Throughout today's clash, we'll keep checking in with reporter Simon Sinclair for his thoughts on the match. Here's what he has to say about the significance of today's game:
"Matches don't come much bigger than this for Brendan Rodgers. The 42-year-old is under immense pressure following his side's underwhelming start to the season. Liverpool's win alleviated the stress somewhat on his position, although the club's draw in midweek to Sion in the Europa League brought the boo birds out at Anfield. A win today would give the Northern Irishman much needing breathing room heading into the international break and time for his side to settle. However, a defeat could give the Fenway Sports Group a lot of thinking time to ponder his future."
The team news has been announced, let's take a look at how the sides will line up this afternoon...
EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Browning, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry; Deulofeu, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Gibson, Oviedo, Kone, Lennon, Osman, Holgate
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Clyne, Milner, Lucas, Moreno; Coutinho; Sturridge, Ings
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Gomez, Lallana, Allen, Origi, Ibe, Rossiter
So it's bad news for Everton fans, as John Stones and Seamus Coleman have both been ruled out of action this afternoon. That could prove to be crucial in today's match - it will certainly be a baptism of fire for Ramiro Funes Mori in defence for the Toffees today.
Roberto Martinez has named an unchanged side from the team that faced West Bromwich Albion last weekend. The Toffees edged that game 3-2.
Liverpool are also unchanged from their last Premier League match - another 3-2 win, this one over Aston Villa. Both sides have defensive vulnerabilities, and with the form of Lukaku, Sturridge and Ings there could well be plenty of goals today.
With no Steven Gerrard at Anfield, the only two Merseysiders to start this afternoon are Ross Barkley and Tyias Browning. Reds youngster Jordan Rossiter is named on the bench today, and the 18-year-old from Liverpool could have an impact if brought on this afternoon.
Full details of today's team news can be found here.
Much has been said of the pressure surrounding Brendan Rodgers going into this match, and he could well be buoyed by Everton's team news today. Former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson believes today's match is the biggest of Rodgers' tenure at Anfield - find out what he had to say here.
How about some stats to whet the appetite then? The Merseyside derby has seen 20 red cards in Premier League history - more than any other fixture in the league - although there has not been a sending off since Jack Rodwell's in 2011.
Liverpool have conceded nine goals in their last four league matches, while Everton have conceded just six this season. With today's injuriy news though, that could read differently by the end of the game.
Brendan Rodgers appears to be going with three at the back again this afternoon, despite his side's defensive woes, including Emre Can playing at centre-back. Picking players in their non-natural positions has been a hallmark of the Rodgers era at Anfield - one that is not going away any time soon - could it be part of the manager's downfall at the club?
The Reds' cause will not be helped by the absence of their captain this afternoon.
Last season, the managerial pressure was heaped on Everton's Roberto Martinez as his side finished in 11th place in the Premier League. The story is much different today, and one player who has shone for the Toffees this season is their home-grown man Ross Barkley. The 21-year-old has scored three and created four goals for his team this season.
Liverpool's number 10 isn't too bad either mind you. Philippe Coutinho has been linked to Barcelona over the past week, and his Brazil international teammate David Luiz believes that he could leave the club next summer. Read what the Paris Saint-Germain defender had to say here.
Kickoff is just 10 minutes away at Goodison Park! El Scousico - you can thank me later - has not been more significant in recent years, as Rodgers' future could depend on a positive result today.
PREDICTIONS! Here are the thoughts of reporter Simon Sinclair ahead of today's match:
"Everton have been dealt a blow before kickoff with the absence of John Stones and Seamus Coleman due to injury, placing huge pressure on Ramiro Funes Mori and Tyias Browning. However, in front of their own supporters and with a potent attacking lineup at their disposal Roberto Martinez's men may just have enough to edge the contest to add to Brendan Rodgers's woes. 2-1 to Everton."
PREDICTIONS! As for me, I'll go with a 2-2 draw. The loss of Stones and Coleman is a huge blow for the Toffees, and the return of Daniel Sturridge has been timely for the Reds. That said, the visitors are vulnerable at the back. There will be goals today (there's a kiss of death for you), and I expect two each.
The players are on the pitch, kickoff is moments away!
KICKOFF! Liverpool get proceedings under way.
Scrappy start to the game as neither side is able to keep hold of the ball early on. Coutinho makes a break down the left, but Funes Mori clears the danger.
Everton with a bit of possession for the first time in the game, but Liverpool cut it out and Sturridge finds Milner in the box. Tim Howard slides in to clear the ball - well timed from the veteran, anything else and it would have been a penalty.
Gareth Barry has a hopeful shot on goal, but it's never in any danger of finding the back of the Liverpool goal.
Sturridge shows Galloway a clean pair of heels before cutting in on his left foot, but the shot is dragged wide to the right of the Everton goal.
By the way, with all the talk of managerial pressure surrounding this match, it has been confirmed by Sunderland that Dick Advocaat has left the club. Full details will follow on Sports Mole.
Liverpool have a free kick, but it's cleared as far as Lucas, who plays in Sturridge in the box - but Jagielka recovers to send the ball away for a corner. Good start to the game for the Reds.
Skrtel flies in at the far post from the corner, but his header misses the target.
Another Liverpool corner is cleared, only as far as Can. The German plays the ball into the box, as Skrtel flicks on towards Ings, but Jagielka again diverts the ball.
CHANCE! Funes Mori fails to clear his lines and the ball lands at the feet of Ings, who attempts a volley but his effort goes over the bar.
Barry plays a good pass forwards for Lukaku, who does well to control it and is brought down heavily by Can. Everton fans calling for a free kick but nothing is given.
Barkley plays in Lukaku, who tries to find Naismith but his pass is cut out. Everton seeing more of the ball in the last few minutes.
Everton break quickly as Gerard Deulofeu looks to play Lukaku in, but his pass misses the intended target and Liverpool counter. End-to-end start to the game at Goodison Park.
The view of reporter Simon Sinclair
A great start to the match as both teams are playing at a rapid tempo. Liverpool have carved out the better of the opportunities and could have been ahead at Martin Skrtel been able to direct his header towards the net. Brendan Rodgers will be pleased with his side's display so far, but Everton do have players than can turn the game in an instant.
Martin Skrtel is down receiving treatment, and the players can take a rare moment off in the Merseyside derby.
The match has been fairly even so far. Both sides look dangerous going forwards, but Liverpool have perhaps edged it, with Phil Jagielka making a couple of crucial interceptions to stop the Reds from taking the lead.
Browning deemed to have pushed Milner and the Reds have a free kick. It finds Skrtel at the back post, but he is unable to keep the ball in the box.
Danny Ings does brilliantly to control a loose ball at the touchline and find Clyne, who bursts forward before Everton cut out the danger.
CHANCE! Milner tests Howard from a tight angle, but the Everton keeper keeps the ball out and concedes a corner, which goes beyond the players in the box.
CHANCE! What a save from Simon Mignolet! Ross Barkley takes a free kick in the Everton half and Steven Naismith has a free header, but the Belgian stopper produces a fingertip reaction save to tip his effort over the bar. Top save from Mignolet!
Moreno gives the ball away, but McCarthy's attempted ball for Deulofeu is overcooked and Mignolet has a goal kick.
CHANCE! Another fine save from Mignolet! James McCarthy hits a powerful drive from outside the Liverpool box, and Mignolet dives to his right to keep it out.
Everton have really grown into this match, and Simon Mignolet has put in a fine performance so far to keep his clean sheet. How long will it last?
The view of reporter Simon Sinclair
Both sides are starting to flex their muscles in attack, but Everton are beginning to look extremely dangerous in the final third. Ross Barkley is becoming more influential and only two outstanding saves from Simon Mignoley has kept the Toffees at bay as he denied Steven Naismith and James McCarthy. Liverpool's defensive frailities have been noted by their manager and they're facing a tough examination at the moment. A crucial 15-minute period coming up for the Reds.
BOOKINGS! Emre Can and Ross Barkley have a heated discussion, and Martin Atkinson decides to book the pair of them.
Milner plays in a teasing through ball for Danny Ings on the right of the box, and Tim Howard rushes over to clear.
Can attempts an overhead kick from the corner, and hits Barry with the boot in the process. The referee sees it as dangerous play - Can has just been booked too. Decision for Atkinson to make here.
The referee gives Can the benefit of the doubt, but he must be careful now.
Sturridge finds Moreno in the box and once again Jagielka clears for a corner. The Everton skipper has put in a stellar performance so far.
Ings is unmarked outside the Everton box, but Funes Mori races over to clear the danger.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Liverpool (Danny Ings)
Ings loses his marker at the resulting corner and nods past Tim Howard for the game's first goal.
Lucas gives the ball away near his own box and McCarthy tries to find an attacker, but his pass is cut out.
Clyne plays in Milner, who goes down under the challenge of Galloway in the Everton box, but the referee gives the Toffees a free kick.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Liverpool (Romelu Lukaku)
Everton respond at the perfect time! A Deulofeu cross is not dealt with properly by Can, and the German's clearance falls straight to Lukaku, who fires past Mignolet.
Much for Rodgers and Martinez to ponder as their sides head to the break.
HALF TIME! Everton 1-1 Liverpool
Half time in a very watchable Merseyside derby. Liverpool looked strong early on, but Everton grew into the game. The scoreline seems fair on reflection.
Liverpool have had nine shots to Everton's five, with both hitting the target on three occasions. Possession is 50-50. Phil Jagielka has been a rock for Everton, while Simon Mignolet is unlucky not to have a clean sheet after pulling off two superb saves in the half. All to play for in the second half.
Find out how the first half unfolded with Sports Mole's half-time report here.
Danny Ings netted the opener for Liverpool, as the former Burnley man scored his third goal for the club.
Both sides could do with improving their ball retention in the second half. On a number of occasions attacks have been cut out and broken down in good positions.
Brendan Rodgers will also want his makeshift centre-back Emre Can to calm down a bit. The German international is in danger of picking up a second yellow card.
The restart is just moments away, and the final word of half time goes to Simon Sinclair:
"Drama at the end of the first half. The sides concede two very soft goals as Danny Ings put the Reds ahead with a simple header from a corner, although he may have gotten away with a slight push on Ross Barkley to create separation. Brendan Rodgers will have been begging his team to hold out until the half-time whistle, but their lapses at the back continue with a failed clearance from Emre Can. The German's mistake could not have fallen to worse player from Liverpool's point of view as Romelu Lukaku took a touch before rifling the ball into the net, with a sublime finish. The first half was a pretty even contest, but both teams will be determined to improve in the second 45 minutes to steal a winner."
RESTART! Everton get the second half under way.
Corner for Everton as Can prevents Naismith making progress. Barkley's delivery found Browning at the near post, whose header was deflected away for another corner.
Lukaku shoots from a tight angle, but Mignolet had it covered. Everton have started well in this second half.
Scrappy few moments in the second half, as neither side can keep hold of the ball.
Coutinho drives at the Everton defence before finding James Milner in the box, but the vice-captain cannot get a shot away.
Skrtel draws a foul from Barkley in his own half, to the disgust of the Everton faithful who boo Martin Atkinson.
The ball is pumped forwards towards Lukaku, who does well to hold it up and is brought down by Skrtel. Everton free kick to come.
Barkley's delivery misses everyone and Mignolet collects with ease.
Steven Naismith does well to go round Nathaniel Clyne, before Lucas Leiva clatters the Scotsman and gives away another free kick. From the set piece, Barkley and Galloway exchange passes, before the playmaker crosses into the box, but Mignolet cuts out the danger.
SUBSTITUTION! Aaron Lennon comes on for Everton, replacing Gerard Deulofeu.
James McCarthy shakes off Coutinho in a dangerous position. The Brazilian has had a quiet game so far for Liverpool.
Lukaku lays off for Naismith, before the big man gets it back and finds Lennon. His driven cross into the box is cleared by Liverpool, but the Toffees stay up the pitch with a throw in.
Bizarre looping cross into the box from Browning hangs in the air for an eternity, before Skrtel deals with the danger.
The view from reporter Simon Sinclair
The pace and quality has dropped right out of the game in the second half. Both teams seem very tentative in the final third and very wary of making mistakes. Unfortunately it has made for a drab contest, but Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers are busy on the sidelines attempting to change the flow of the game.
BOOKING! James McCarthy goes in from behind on James Milner and earns a yellow card.
CHANCE! Barkley leads a counter attack and he has three Everton players in front of him. He opts to shoot outside the box, and forces a low save from Simon Mignolet.
Poor pass out by Mignolet reaches Naismith, but Emre Can recovers the ball to spare the Belgian's blushes. Mignolet has had a good game this afternoon, but his footwork is always questionable.
BOOKING! Lucas Leiva gets a yellow card for a heavy challenge.
CHANCE! Aaron Lennon lays off for Romelu Lukaku, who fires straight at Simon Mignolet from the right of the box.
CHANCE! First real moment of quality from Coutinho, who jinks past Browning before testing Howard in the top right corner, but the American is equal to the challenge.
James McCarthy receiving some treatment and the players take a moment off. The second half has livened up in the past five minutes, but will there be a winner?
Ross Barkley wins the ball from a throw in, before twisting and turning around his marker, only to thread a pass through to Martin Skrtel.
SUBSTITUTION! Adam Lallana comes on for Liverpool goalscorer Danny Ings, who has been quiet in the second half.
The ball is sprayed out to Moreno by Lucas, who puts a decent cross into the box, but Milner's header goes well over the bar.
Lucas is a lucky man right now! The Brazilian should have received a second yellow for a hack on James McCarthy.
SUBSTITUTIONS! The very lucky Lucas Leiva comes off for Joe Allen, while Everton bring on Arouna Kone for Steven Naismith.
Adam Lallana takes a quick corner towards Coutinho, but his shot is blocked.
The view from reporter Simon Sinclair
Everton look the most likely of the sides to steal a winner this afternoon as they are continuing to find space in the final third. Clear-cut chances have been hard to come by in the second half, but both managers will be desperate to see on further opporunity land at the feet of Romelu Lukaku or Daniel Sturridge this afternoon. Liverpool have gone into their shells in the second half, and the final 10 minutes of this game could have a huge bearing on the future of the club and manager Brendan Rodgers.
Everton look the most likely of the sides to steal a winner this afternoon as they are continuing to find space in the final third. Clear-cut chances have been hard to come by in the second half, but both managers will be desperate to see on further opporunity land at the feet of Romelu Lukaku or Daniel Sturridge this afternoon. Liverpool have gone into their shells in the second half, and the final 10 minutes of this game could have a huge bearing on the future of the club and manager Brendan Rodgers.
Both sides give the ball away continually, before Ross Barkley brings the play under control and draws a foul from Adam Lallana.
Barkley does well to find Lennon, but the winger is unable to find a striker in the box. Everton on top.
Lallana drives at the Everton defence before finding Milner on the right, but the return pass is cut out. On the break, Lennon tries to find an Everton shirt in the box but can't.
Ref! Atkinson gets in the way of a Barkley pass and a promising Everton move momentarily breaks down. The Toffees are back on the ball though.
Another heated moment as Mamadou Sakho and Romelu Lukaku clash. How will Atkinson respond?
BOOKINGS! Both players receive a yellow card.
Barkley runs through the Liverpool defence but his pass to Lennon is cut out. Lallana breaks for the Reds, but Howard clears his lines. End-to-end now.
One last attack for the hosts, as Lennon fires a shot into the box, but Lukaku gets in the way.
FULL TIME! Everton 1-1 Liverpool
Another draw on Merseyside then, and probably fair. Liverpool had the better of the first half, while Everton were on top in the second, but neither side could find a moment of quality to finish the game off.
Big shout outs to Ramiro Funes Mori and Phil Jagielka, who were outstanding for the hosts, while Simon Mignolet had an impressive game for Liverpool.
Read how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's match report here.
Danny Ings went off with a slight injury knock in the second half, but the striker has played down the scare.
"It'll be assessed but it should be fine," Ings told Sky Sports News.
A final word from our reporter Simon Sinclair:
"The match ends in a stalemate as neither side produced the moment of magic needed to secure the three points. The result is probably fair as the teams did not do enough over the course of the match to stake a claim for the victory. Roberto Martinez will be pleased that his side managed to battle back after going behind, but slightly disappointed about their efforts in the second half as they dominated possesion, but couldn't carve out the opportuntity. Brendan Rodgers may have earned another few weeks in the job at least, although his doubters will still have course to question his future at the club. Despite the mistake from Emre Can in the first half, the Reds did well enough at the back in the second to claim a just point."
That wraps up Sports Mole's live coverage of Everton vs. Liverpool, thanks for you company this afternoon! Stay tuned for reaction, analysis and coverage of Arsenal vs. Manchester United later today.
