LIVERPOOL, England: Everton and Liverpool drew 1-1 Sunday in the Premier League to keep Brendan Rodgers unbeaten in Merseyside derbies but still struggling to get his Reds properly firing.
Liverpool went ahead in the 41st minute after James Milner’s corner saw Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard stuck to his line and Danny Ings left unmarked to head home from four yards.
“I love every goal no matter what game it is,” Ings said. “We fought from start to finish.”
But any joy for Rodgers’ team was short-lived as Liverpool characteristically let its lead disappear when Emre Can failed to clear properly after Gerard Deulofeu’s cross and Romelu Lukaku reacted quickest to fire home in first-half stoppage time.
Everton dominated the second half but couldn’t clinch the win at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have 13 points, one more than midtable Liverpool, from eight games.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, with three goals in his last three meetings against Everton, had a couple of early chances and Ings’ angled volley dropped just over.
At the other end, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet tipped over a free header from Steven Naismith, and then turned wide James McCarthy’s drive.
Can needlessly got into a scuffle with Ross Barkley in the 33rd which resulted in both players getting yellow cards. The Germany international could easily have received a second caution for an overhead kick which connected with Gareth Barry but referee Martin Atkinson was lenient.
Everton’s dominance after the interval saw the visitors lose their way entirely as long balls were pumped up to Ings to no avail.