Liverpool 0 Everton 0

The 220th Merseyside Derby ended as a damp squib with the realisation,  not that we didn't already know,  that these two giants are now relegated to also-rans behind Manchester and London.

Steven Gerrard towered over the game like a colossus showing his full  range of passing all the facets of his game which for a decade has made him the pre-eminent all round player in the country.  He was  everywhere, tackling back, driving the midfield and surging forward as of yesteryear.

For the future, Coutinho was equally exciting.  We know he possesses devastating vision, especially seeking out his frontmen, but he showed Everton's 'dog's of war' midfield that he was up for the fight, bouncing of tackles and shimmying away almost ghost like away from tackles.  He doesn't flinch, often hitting the ground and bouncing back like a rubber ball showing a robustness which players with silky skills are not normally renowned for.

One of his mesmeric through balls found Sturridge who in trying to round the keeper found his route blocked by Tim Howard. Sturridge has many talents,  but one feels he sometimes tries to score the perfect goal when he could just prod the ball home or lay the ball off to one of his colleagues running off him as he failed to do a couple of times in the game.  But all in all, he's been a potent force since his £12million signing.

Jamie Carragher greeted by David Moyes

The clear cut chances were ours, Steven Gerrard coming close twice.  In the first-half he had a goal bound shot superbly blocked by Jagielka and his power-house run was cleverly picked out by Sturridge in the second-half, having rounded the keeper, his shot was easily picked off by the covering Distin.

It was probably one of the most toothless derbies in terms of passion for a long while, with Everton content with a draw and Liverpool missing Suarez cutting edge.  That being said, Everton will feel they peeved at having Distin's goal wiped out for Anichebe's foul on Reina.  Foul or not the referee's whistle sounded long before the ball hit the back of the net.

Liverpool had the more clear cut openings, but couldn't quite hit the target when it mattered.

Kop-Post Man of the match:  Steven Gerrard - At his imperious best, showing the full range of his passing, short and long and kept the Everton midfield quiet with his attacking verve and thunderous tackling.   Unlucky not to have had at least one goal and was Liverpool's most potent goal threat.   Once again,  showed what big shoes he'll leave when he finally vacates the Liverpool midfield.

Critical eye:  In a game which needed a flash of inspiration, Stewart Downing was not going to be that man.  He flatters to deceive to often, running up blind alleys and for a player so renowned for his crossing he very rarely threatens with his crossing or tears his opposing full-back apart.   For me, although he undoubtedly improved in the second half of the season, one feels he has been an overwhelming disappointment.  I am minded by an old quote when thinking about Downing "if you lick the lollipop of mediocrity once, you're stuck for ever."  I would be surprised to see him as a regular starter next season.

With the outside possibility of Europa qualification through the league still a possibility it was disappointing to see Skrtel come on and not use his aerial threat upfront as a plan b option or not replacing Downing with the tricky and pacey Assaidi or even in using Shelvey.  Losing to Everton is bad at anytime, but to my way of thinking the aim should've been to win and with a better goal difference, there's always the possibility of putting some pressure on them rather than taking the easy option in the last ten minutes.   Disappointing!

Memorable moment:  The Kop holding up cards which said thanks to their neighbours for the support over Hillsborough and the families of the 96 and Jamie Carragher's final appearance in a Merseyside Derby.

Team: 25 Reina, 2 Johnson, 3 Jose Enrique,  5 Agger, 23 Carragher, 8 Gerrard, 10 Coutinho, 14 Henderson (Borini -66 mins), 19 Downing (Skrtel - 79 min), 21 Lucas, 15 Sturridge

Substitutes: 1 Jones, 16 Coates,  37 Skrtel,  33 Shelvey, 11 Assaidi, 29 Borini,  30 Suso

Ref: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 44, 991