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Liverpool FC and Everton played out the sixth draw in their last seven meetings as a fiercely-contested but error-strewn Merseyside derby finished 1-1.
Danny Ings put Liverpool FC ahead when he capitalised on some lacklustre Everton defending and headed in from James Milnera s cross following a corner in the 41st minute.
But Romelu Lukaku ensured Everton took a deserved share of the spoils when he profited from Emre Cana s miscued clearance in first-half stoppage time.
Both managers named unchanged starting line-ups from their last Premier League games, which meant Everton were without defenders John Stones and Seamus Coleman, while Liverpool FC partnered Daniel Sturridge and Ings in attack.
In the ferocious intensity of the opening stages of the 225th meeting between the teams, the play was epitomised by mistakes.
Referee Martin Atkinson allowed the contest to flow after initially being over-zealous with his use of the whistle, and Can and Lukaku began a wrestling match while James McCarthy snapped at Philippe Coutinho’s heels in archetypal derby fashion.
Half-chances for Ings and Milner reflected Liverpool FCa s early positive intentions but it was Everton who twice tested Simon Mignolet in the first half-hour.
Goodison Park rose to its feet when Ross Barkleya s free kick picked out the unmarked head of Steven Naismith only for Mignolet to paw the ball away.
The Liverpool FC goalkeeper was called upon again shortly after as he dived to his right to tip a McCarthy shot past the post, following some neat Everton build-up play.
Lucas was lucky not to be sent-off
Tempers flared when Can held on to the ball to delay an Everton throw-in and both he and Barkley received yellow cards for their troubles.
With the momentum seemingly with the Toffees, Liverpool FC struck the first blow following a corner, with Barkley punished for some slack marking.
Milnera s delivery hung in the air but Barkley, who was guilty of a similar mistake in Evertona s last game, at West Brom last week, lost Ings and failed to get his head to the ball which left the Liverpool FC striker with a free header from close range.
Evertona s response was instantaneous, with Liverpool FCa s defending for the equaliser also having a calamitous look about it.
Gerard Deulofeu crossed from the right and Can volleyed a panicked clearance into the chest of Martin Skrtel which saw the ball drop invitingly for Lukaku.
The Belgium international reacted and adeptly cracked a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.
Liverpool FCa s brittle defence was ruffled by Evertona s high pressing after the interval and the result was Brendan Rodgersa side hit aimless long balls, easily handled by the home sidea s defence, and sporadically threatened.
Chances were at a premium for both sides, although space opened up for Barkley shortly after the hour but he could only curl the ball wide from distance.
Everton substitute Aaron Lennon unlocked the Liverpool FC defence 10 minutes later and Lukakua s angled drive stung the palms of Mignolet.
At the other end, Coutinho cut inside on to his right foot but could not find the angle to bend the ball around Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who was able to easily beat the ball away.
Rodgers sacrifcied Ings for Adam Lallana for the final part of the game in an attempt to get his side more presence on the ball in midfield, while Lucas was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card.
Lukaku and Liverpool FC defender Mamadou Sakho had to be separated by Atkinson as Roberto Martineza s side pushed for winner, but the visitors withstood a spell of late pressure to ensure the points were shared.
By AFP