In terms of the table, it is as you were for both sides. Everton remain five points clear of Liverpool and, with two games left, they look set to secure sixth place ahead of their local rivals. Everton's slim chances of reaching the top four are now all-but over.

Liverpool had a few chances of their own. Gerrard had the best of the first half but was thwarted by Jagielka, while Gerrard and Sturridge both took the ball round the keeper in the second half but couldn't apply the finishing touch. On the whole, though, chances were hard to come by for both sides and a draw was a fair result.

The biggest talking point of the match will be Distin's disallowed goal in the second half. It was hard to see anything wrong with the goal and, unless the ref has seen something that we haven't, then Everton should be celebrating their first win at Anfield in almost 14 years right now.

The referee brings an end to a goalless Merseyside derby. Jamie Carragher keeps a clean sheet in his final derby, but Liverpool will be unhappy that they didn't manage to win this afternoon. Having said that, neither side really did enough to win the match and it was a very even affair throughout.

YELLOW CARD! Leon Osman becomes the second Everton player in the book for a foul on Coutinho. The Brazilian got away from him once, but at the second attempt Osman brought him down from behind.

There will be three minutes of added time. Can anyone find a winner in this Merseyside derby?

I've just seen a replay of another flailing arm from Fellaini from a free kick. He clearly raises his elbow into the face of Skrtel. The ref didn't see it, but it isn't the first time he has done it today and if he gets a reputation for it then it will start to get picked up on.

YELLOW CARD! Fabio Borini picks up just the second yellow card of the afternoon for a physical challenge on Baines. He can have no complaints really, but that is the type of challenge that the ref has let go without a card all day today.

SAVE! Anichebe tries an ambitious strike from range and his shot takes a huge deflection, which sends it looping towards Reina's goal. It is awkward for the Liverpool keeper, who tips it on to the post and wide.

Anichebe is getting increasingly frustrated with the ref. Michael Oliver has been lenient on the whole today, but he has penalised Anichebe a couple of times when the striker has just used his strength to his advantage.

My prediction of 3-2 was slightly off, then! Still, this game looks like it will see a goal in the closing stages and it could go either way. We're in for a good final 10 minutes or so I think!

Enrique gets down the left flank after a fine pass from Sturridge. The full-back reaches the by-line before flashing the ball right across the face of goal. The nearest red shirt to it is Borini, but he can't reach what would have been an easy tap in.

CHANCE! Another brilliant free kick from Gerrard finds Agger, who rises highest to glance a header towards goal. He doesn't get a clean connection, however, and his effort flies wide. He also fell awkwardly there and is holding his wrist. That could be a problem for Liverpool having just brought Skrtel on.

LIVERPOOL SUB: This is an interesting change from Rodgers. Martin Skrtel is coming on to replace Downing. Presumably Johnson will push on into midfield and Carragher will move to right back.

Everton send two crosses into the box, both of which are mopped up by Reina, who immediately looks to release Liverpool on a counter-attack. On the second occasion he finds Sturridge, who shows good strength and pace to win a throw off Distin.

EVERTON SUB: David Moyes makes his first change of the afternoon, and it is an attacking one. Misfiring striker Nikica Jelavic enters the fray, replacing Kevin Mirallas.

CHANCE! This match is being played at some pace now! Sturridge picks up the ball on the left and Gerrard is arriving in support at pace. The England striker slips his captain in inside the box, and Gerrard takes it round Howard before pushing his effort goalwards. He can't generate much power on it, though, which allows Distin to get there and clear.

SHOT! More end-to-end stuff as Enrique sells Reina short with a back pass. Mirallas is chasing him down, but falls under the challenge of Enrique, claiming a foul. Again, the ref is right to wave it away and at the other end Coutinho tries to curl an effort towards the top corner, but gets it all wrong and sends it over.

Gerrard whips a vicious ball into the box and it eludes two Everton men before reaching Agger. The Dane saw it late, however, and it may have even taken a deflection off Anichebe on the way through, which made it hard for the Liverpool man.

End-to-end stuff here as Gerrard sees a volley from the edge of the box blocked by Gibson before Everton break. Anichebe goes down under the challenge of Lucas, but the ref correctly refuses to award a free kick. Liverpool come again as Coutinho looks for Borini, but Jagielka comes across to put it out for a throw.

Anichebe shows good strength to hold off Daniel Agger, shielding the ball inside the box until support arrives. That support eventually came in the sizeable form of Fellaini, but the Belgian's ambitious shot from a tight angle was never really on.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The first change of the day is made by Liverpool, as Fabio Borini comes on to continue his recovery from injury. It is an attacking sub by Rogders as Borini replaces Henderson, which will see Coutinho move out to the left.

SHOT! Mirallas picks the ball up on the left side of the field around 25 yards from goal. As soon as he gets it he only has one thing on his mind, as he turns and lets fly. His shot looks like it will bend towards the far corner, but instead stays flying straight and ends safely wide of Reina's goal.

It just isn't happening for Sturridge today. Coutinho gives the ball to the striker again, but as he moves into the Everton box he loses control of it. Baines goes to get rid of the ball, but his clearance hits Sturridge and bounces kindly into the arms of Howard.

Mirallas is the only player who has gone down easily today, and he does so again under Glen Johnson's challenge. This time the ref makes the correct decision in not awarding the free kick.

SAVE! Gerrard sends another majestic pass across the field to open up play. Downing whips a dangerous cross into the box which Sturridge can't quite connect with, but it falls to Coutinho at the back post. The Brazilian takes his time, but ultimately hits a tame shot straight at Howard when Henderson was screaming for it on the edge of the box.

There is a slight possibility that the foul was given against Distin as he had his hands on Carragher's back when rising to head in. Either way, that is a harsh decision and Everton should be ahead.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Everton think that they have taken the lead, but the ref immediately blows for a foul. He is keeping a close eye on Anichebe's challenge on Reina as Distin rises highest to head in, and adjudges that the Everton striker fouled the Liverpool keeper. If that was indeed what the foul was for, that is a soft decision. Anichebe gets a yellow card for his complaints, but he has a point - that goal should have stood.

Sturridge fails to bring a high ball under control and Everton immediately launch a counter-attack. Mirallas looks to take it past Enrique, who gets a foot to put it behind for a corner.

Johnson tries to wriggle his way through two men but Pienaar is in the way. The Liverpool full-back wants a foul for a body-check, but his claims are just about the first half-hearted thing we've seen so far today. Correct decision from the ref.

Liverpool have started this half very brightly. They are getting a fair amount of joy down the left wing at the moment with Enrique overlapping.

Liverpool knock the ball around nicely to release Enrique down the left. He has three men to aim for inside the box and tries to send the ball in the area between the defence and the keeper, but he just gets it too close to Howard, who collects the ball comfortably.

CHANCE! What a chance for Liverpool! Coutinho reads an attempted backheel from Fellaini before releasing Sturridge with a delightful through ball with the outside of his foot. Sturridge takes his time and tries to take it round Howard, but the keeper gets back in time to save the eventual shot before getting to his feet and tackling Sturridge again. That was the best chance of the match so far.

Henderson shows a surprising burst of pace to knock the ball past one Everton player. He tries to do the same past Coleman, but the Everton full-back just gets there in time to clear the danger. Positive play from Henderson there, though.

KICKOFF: We're back underway at Anfield as Liverpool begin the second half. A big second half awaits in the context of the mini-league between these two sides.

Both teams are back out and we are ready to restart this Merseyside derby.

Moyes, meanwhile, will be happy as things stand. He would have taken a draw before the match and, at half time, his side have a very real chance of nicking this one. It really could go either way in this second half.

Both managers will be pretty happy with the performances from their sides in that first half. It has been a tight game so far, but I can't imagine the second half will pass without another clear chance. For Liverpool, they will want to get the ball to Gerrard or Coutinho whenever possible as they are the two players most capable of unlocking the Everton defence.

For Everton, Jagielka has been very important. He has made two blocks in particular that have saved his side. The first, from Gerrard, was almost certainly a goal-saving one, while he also put a brilliant challenge in on Coutinho when the Brazilian looked to be through on goal.

The stand out player of the first half was Gerrard, though. The Liverpool skipper has been everywhere so far and has more touches of the ball than any other player. He has produced a few trademark passes and has also led from the front in what has been an attritional midfield battle.

Liverpool have had a couple of efforts on goal themselves, and the best opening fell to Steven Gerrard. His effort was blocked by Jagielka when it looked destined for the net. Sturridge has had a few chances, but his shooting has been a bit off today.

Everton have had the best chance of the match so far. It fell to their top scorer, Marouane Fellaini, who held off a challenge from Jamie Carragher before firing just wide of the goal on the volley. Carragher applied enough pressure to make the chance tougher than it could have been, but Fellaini still probably should have scored.

The referee deserves credit for that. This match has reached half time without a single booking, but you can be sure that if it was any other fixture they we would have seen at least one card. Michael Oliver, however, has made allowances for the fixture when making his decision and has been quite lenient, which I think is good refereeing.

So ends a very balanced first half as both sides continue to struggle to find a way through. We may not have had a plethora of chances to enjoy, but it has been an absorbing match. Neither side is giving an inch but, despite some heavy challenges, it is being played in a good spirit.

There will be just one minute added to this first half at Anfield.

Gerrard puts Fellaini under intense pressure in midfield, and the Belgian appears to fling an arm at the Liverpool skipper. The ref waves play on, correctly so on this occasion, but Gerrard is understandably asking the question. Good to see Gerrard make nothing of it, but Fellaini is always taking a risk by doing that.

Everton have two corners in quick succession, but they play both short. I don't see the sense in that given the aerial prowess they have at their disposal.

Gerrard is being given acres of space inside his own half, and he is using it to pick out long, raking passes to the front three. If I was Moyes, I'd want Fellaini to work harder to close the Liverpool skipper down in those positions.

CHANCE! Liverpool come close to an equaliser, but they just can't squeeze a shot away in time. Henderson produces a glorious touch to give it to Sturridge, who throws a step-over before being tackled. The ball falls to Coutinho, but his shot is thwarted at the source by a brilliant Jagielka tackle.

SHOT! Baines decides not to take it, however, handing over the set piece duties to Gibson. I don't think he'll be doing the same next time as Gibson fires it quite a way over the bar.

Agger commits a foul on Mirallas, who went down very easily but it was definitely a foul. Everton have a free kick within shooting distance, and Baines is eyeing it up menacingly...

Nothing to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes as both defences are coming out on top. The midfield battle is very interesting at the moment, too. This one is shaping up nicely.

Coutinho flicks the ball on to Henderson, who is steaming towards the edge of the Everton box, he tries to nick it around Distin, but the Everton defender goes to ground and gets his body in the way, halting Henderson's progress.

SHOT! Fellaini concedes a free kick about 30 yards out, and it is no surprise to see Gerrard standing over the ball. He tries to curl an effort towards the top corner, and it is a good enough strike, but it's always going wide.

CHANCE! Liverpool have their best chance of the match so far as Downing cuts in from the right past Leighton Baines before clipping a ball into the box. It doesn't find a Liverpool head, but it comes back out to Gerrard around 12 yards from goal. The Liverpool skipper tries to guide his shot in, but Jagielka makes a fine block.

It has been quite an odd opening half an hour or so. We have only really had one good chance - Fellaini's from the free kick - yet the match has been absorbing as two even sides are going tit for tat with each other.

Gerrard is running the show at the moment for Liverpool. He is everywhere, both in defence and attack. His passing has been faultless and he has put in a few important tackles and interceptions already.

Gibson puts a heavy challenge in on Coutinho, who had spun away from the Everton midfielder before cutting back inside. Once again, the ref doesn't go to his pocket, but he leaves Gibson in no doubt that next time he will.

A corner into the box causes Liverpool some problems as Reina can't get round an Everton man to come and collect. It is cleared as far as Pienaar, who can't bring it under instant control and subsequently is forced to rush his shot, putting it wide.

As I mentioned previously, there have been some full-blooded tackles so far today, but one of the best things about this match so far is that no-one is making the most of them. Players from both teams are getting straight back up after a tough tackle instead of writhing about on the floor in fake agony. Very refreshing to see.

SHOT! Sturridge doesn't seem to have his shooting boots on so far today. He receives the ball from Coutinho, who is screaming for a return pass, but Sturridge again decides to go for goal. He slices his effort and it spins well wide when he should have passed again. That's twice he has taken the wrong option now.

Gibson zips a good pass into the feet of Mirallas, who looks for a moment to have got the wrong side of the Liverpool defence. He takes a touch before firing at goal, but it is straight at Reina and the flag is up for offside anyway.

CHANCE! The first big chance of the day falls to Fellaini, and he really should score. Johnson gives away a needless free kick with a clumsy challenge on Pienaar, and the ball is inevitably aimed at Fellaini at the far post. The Belgian uses his strength to hold of Carragher, before volley the ball goalwards and just wide of the post. Very close.

Coutinho spins away from Osman and drives towards the edge of the box. The Brazilian attempts a reverse ball into Sturridge, but the striker has drifted offside.

SHOT! Gerrard sends another brilliant 40-50 yard ball to Sturridge, who has peeled off to the right. He takes it down on his chest before cutting inside and firing well over the bar when he should have perhaps slipped Downing in. Greedy from Sturridge there.

Gerrard has been very heavily involved in the opening 10 minutes or so. He has thrown himself into a few tackles and sent some pinpoint passes forward. He thrives in these sorts of matches and Everton will need to close him down quicker to stop his influence.

SHOT! Pienaar finds space to shoot from about 25 yards out, but his effort is never troubling Reina as it bobbles wide. It was worth a go from the South African, but he will be disappointed that he didn't at least test Reina.

Gerrard drops a long ball perfectly over the head of Coleman and into the path of Sturridge, who takes a touch before putting an inviting ball into the area, which is cleared away just in front of Henderson. Great ball from Gerrard, a trademark pass.

There have been plenty of strong tackles in these opening stages, as you would expect from a Merseyside derby. In any other game there probably would have been a few cards already, but the referee is wisely being lenient so far.

SHOT! Pienaar gives the ball away to Henderson, who immediately turns and sends a magnificent long ball up to Sturridge. The England man waits for support, but his first attempt at a pass is cut out. He eventually gets it back and Liverpool pass it around the edge of the Everton box before it is once again given to Sturridge, but he rushes his shot and sends it harmlessly wide.

Enrique tries to shepherd the ball out, but Mirallas gets the better of the full-back and have a chance to drive into Liverpool's third. His touch is poor, however, allowing Enrique back in to make the challenge.

Reina picks the ball up and aims for Enrique, but his attempted pass is shocking and goes straight out for a throw-in. That is out of character for Reina, who usually has very good distribution.

Pienaar wins an early free kick after Gerrard stuck a leg out to try to stop the winger. Pienaar went down theatrically, which draws protests from what is a very vociferous crowd today.

KICKOFF: Here we go! What an occasion a Merseyside derby is, and let's hope the game lives up to what is an electric atmosphere at the start of this one.

Meanwhile, Jagielka in the opposition defence makes his 500th career league appearance and he is handed the Everton armband this afternoon.

Today could be an emotional match for Jamie Carragher. The boyhood Everton fan is playing in his 30th and final Merseyside derby. What a servant he has been to Liverpool Football Club.

The pre-game mosaic of thanks goes up in the Kop, and the Everton fans show their appreciation for the gesture. "You'll Never Walk Alone" rings around the ground, and the Liverpool fans sing along as passionately as ever.

This is, however, a Merseyside derby, and anyone will tell you that form goes out of the window in such games. With the two stadiums being just one mile apart, home and away form shouldn't count for too much this afternoon either.

Everton's away form isn't much more impressive. Their tally of 20 points from 17 games is the seventh-best in the league this season, although they have made themselves hard to beat on their travels, losing just five times.

Liverpool's record at Anfield leaves a lot to be desired at this season, however. They have picked up just 29 points from their 17 home games so far, which is only the ninth-best record in the league. To put it in context, Everton have managed 10 more points than the Reds in front of their own fans this season.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which can only mean one thing - it's prediction time! Liverpool are such a tough side to predict as they can play like world-beaters one week and relegation contenders the next. However, I think that they will be able to edge a results against Everton this afternoon, although the Toffess won't make it easy. I can also see a few goals this afternoon, so I'm going to go for a 3-2 home win.

When it comes to matters such as that, the city of Liverpool always joins as one, and Everton have not flinched in their support of their local rivals. However, this afternoon the city will be divided as it isn't just bragging rights on the line this time - a win would see Liverpool's chances of finishing above the Blues drastically improve, while a loss would all-but end them.

In a show of respect between the two sets of supporters, Liverpool fans are planning to unveil a mosaic reading "Thank you" before kick off, acknowledging the role that Everton have played in finding justice for the 96 Liverpool fans killed at Hillsborough in 1989.

Despite such a checkered disciplinary record, the rivalry between the fans remains amicable. This rivalry is often referred to as the "friendly rivalry", not least because many families have both Liverpool and Everton fans within them. You will see plenty of blue dotted all around the stadium this afternoon.

On a darker note in this fixture's history, you are probably aware that it has seen more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history. There have been 20 dismissals - some of which are memorable for all the wrong reasons - and you can be sure that neither side will give an inch this afternoon.

The last meeting between these two sides ended 2-2, with Everton coming from 2-0 down at Goodison Park. A Leighton Baines own goal and Luis Suarez strike gave Liverpool breathing space, but they were soon pegged back by Leon Osman and Steven Naismith.

More recently, Liverpool have also had the upper hand over their local rivals. Everton haven't beaten the Reds in their last five attempts - last doing so in 2010 when goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta handed them a 2-0 win. The last time Everton won at Anfield, however, was way back in 1999 - 14 years ago.

So, their form is pretty even and the quality throughout the squad is also pretty even, but what about the history of this fixture? Well, overall Liverpool have the edge - which isn't surprising given the Reds' former glories. They have won 70 of the 178 meetings so far, while Everton have only come out on top on 52 occasions.

Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar will always look to get forward at every available opportunity, and Liverpool will have to keep a close eye on their runs from midfield. The likes of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman will also give the Toffees width, and Baines in particular can be very damaging in the final third.

As for Everton, the decision not to start Nikica Jelavic is a bit of a defensive one by Moyes, but I think it is a wise choice. Victor Anichebe is not the most prolific of strikers, but he can hold the ball up, and the likes of Mirallas, Pienaar and Fellaini will be there to support him. A win is not essential for Everton this afternoon, so it makes sense to put an extra man in midfield to try to stop Liverpool playing.

From midfield, Steven Gerrard has, as usual, been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers this season, and he relishes Merseyside derbies. Don't be surprised to see him on the ball regularly, dictating the tempo of the game.

In terms of Liverpool's dangermen, they are obviously without the jewel in their crown in Luis Suarez. However, Daniel Sturridge has looked very impressive since joining in January and, in the last couple of games in particular, he has been a real handful. He will be ablely assisted by Philippe Coutinho, who has also made a very bright start to his Anfield career.

So, what can we make of those lineups? Well, as I said, it is no surprise that Rodgers has named an unchanged side after they demolished Newcastle last week. If it ain't broke, dont fix it! However, the likes of Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have struggled to string together a prolonged piece of good form since joining the club. They have certainly improved in that respect this season, but they still haven't provided sustained quality game in, game out for the Reds. This afternoon is a chance to do just that.

EVERTON SUBS: Mucha, Hibbert, Heitinga, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Duffy

EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman; Gibson, Mirallas, Osman, Pienaar, Fellaini; Anichebe

LIVERPOOL SUB: Jones, Skrtel, Shelvey, Borini, Assaidi, Coates, Suso

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Reina; Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher; Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson; Coutinho, Downing, Sturridge

TEAM NEWS: Right, the team news is in for both sides, and unsuprisingly Brendan Rodgers has opted for an unchanged lineup. There is no Luis Suarez available of course - he is sitting out the second game of his eight-match ban - so Daniel Sturridge starts up front with Stewart Downing and Philippe Coutinho in support. Jamie Carragher once again starts at the back in what will be his final ever Merseyside derby. Everton, meanwhile, make one change from their 1-0 win over Fulham, bringing Darron Gibson in for Nikica Jelavic, who drops to the bench. Full teams news coming right up...

However, sacrificing three points to your nearest rivals both geographically and in the league table does nothing for bragging rights, and it would increase the pressure on David Moyes's side significantly. I'm sure Moyes would take a draw if you offered it to him now, but their form is good enough that they will go into this match thinking they can win it.

However, they will be keen to amass as many points as possible at the end of this season, if only to stay ahead of Liverpool. The Toffees will be just as keen to finish above their local rivals as Liverpool will be, and sixth place is very much in their hands. Even if they lose this afternoon, they have a bit of leeway as they will still be two points clear.

They will still be dreaming of a top four finish, but they would need a spectacular set of results to achieve that. Realistically, they will settle for sixth place this season as they currently sit six points behind fourth and fifth with just three games left. The likelihood of two of Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea losing two of their last three games and Everton winning all of thiers is very slim.

Speaking of Everton, the Toffees are in similarly good form to Liverpool going into this one. They have lost just once in their last eight league games - a run that includes a win over Manchester City and points against Tottenham and Arsenal.

The Reds can afford to solely look up the table now too. They should be safely in the top seven at least as they lead West Bromwich Albion by six points with three games to play. The Baggies also have a tough run-in, so Liverpool can turn their full attention to catching Everton.

Their form is certainly good enough. The 6-0 drubbing of Newcastle in their last outing ended a turbulent week on a high note for the Reds and made a mockery out of the claims that they are a one-man team as they ran riot without Luis Suarez. They have lost just once in their last 10 matches, but such is their manner this season that you don't know when the next disappointing loss is going to come.

However, it is too early to be talking about the future just yet, and their number one priority for the remainder of this season will be to try to catch today's opponents in the league table. They currently sit five points behind Everton, but a win this afternoon would close that gap to two points with just two games left to play. The Reds have the easier run-in of the two sides, so they will be confident of sneaking into sixth place if they can get all three points today.

Seventh is not good enough for a club of Liverpool's calibre, but there is an understanding around the club that manager Brendan Rodgers needed this season as a transistional one for the Reds. Fans are optimistic for the next campaign already, with the promising starts from the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge giving them hope for the future.

We'll start by looking at the hosts today, and what a topsy-turvy season it has been for Liverpool. They have struggled for consistency throughout and, although they have shown that they are a match for anyone in the league on their day, too many poor performances and poor results have left them seventh in the table.

Good afternoon! Thank you for joining Sports Mole on this lovely sunny day for what promises to be a full-blooded affair as Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby.