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IT was no Mo, no-go for Liverpool as the Merseyside shoot-out turned into the deadly-dull-derby.

The Prem’s leading hit-man Mo Salah is still recovering from a groin he damaged against Manchester City in the midweek Euro win, and was never going to be risked ahead of Tuesday’s return.

Wayne Rooney found it tough to stamp his authority on the game as the two big rivals fought out a bore draw
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Wayne Rooney found it tough to stamp his authority on the game as the two big rivals fought out a bore drawCredit: AFP
Off trundled Wayne Rooney with 57 minutes on the clock - to be replaced by a defensive midfielder
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Off trundled Wayne Rooney with 57 minutes on the clock - to be replaced by a defensive midfielderCredit: REUTERS
With less than an hour played, Wayne Rooney was hooked at Goodison Park and was furious with Sam Allardyce
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With less than an hour played, Wayne Rooney was hooked at Goodison Park and was furious with Sam AllardyceCredit: REUTERS
And the boyhood Everton fan was far from happy at being hauled off early
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And the boyhood Everton fan was far from happy at being hauled off earlyCredit: REUTERS
Wayne Rooney seemed to utter expletives as he took his seat back in the dugout in the second half
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Wayne Rooney seemed to utter expletives as he took his seat back in the dugout in the second halfCredit: refer to caption.

And without the league’s 29-goal hot-shot, the Reds rarely looked like getting the better of their neighbours, in this tamest of showdowns.

Of their terrorising trio of attackers, only Sadio Mane started – and when Roberto Firmino came on for the last 15, it was to replace the Senegal striker.

With Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings – a combined total of three goals between them in their Anfield careeres – leading the line, it was no great shock they were so blunt.

They still forced Jordan Pickford into a couple of decent stops, notably a point blank block from Solanke and flying fingertip

to keep out a James Milner curler.

 

Wayne Rooney not happy about being substituted for Everton against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby
Seamus Coleman and Danny Ings clashed in the second half - that's about as exciting as things got
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Seamus Coleman and Danny Ings clashed in the second half - that's about as exciting as things gotCredit: REUTERS
Eventually some kind of fuse was lit in the second half, but it was short lived
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Eventually some kind of fuse was lit in the second half, but it was short livedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
There was hardly any of the expected derby needle during the bore draw on Merseyside this afternoon
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There was hardly any of the expected derby needle during the bore draw on Merseyside this afternoonCredit: PA:Empics Sport

INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared 

Kop keeper Loris Karius produced a carbon copy of the latter, going full length to push a whipped Yannick Bolasie strike for a corner.

But for the most part Everton were more intent on not losing and at least turning in a performance a step up on last week’s pitiful rollover against City.

And for their part, Liverpool simply weren’t sharp enough or deadly enough to find a way to goal.

INTERACTIVE LINE-UPS– CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats

It actually took until the 70th minute before EITHER side had a second half shot on goal, and that was an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain long-ranger which was always rising too high.

Everton didn’t even manage that, and the only passion they really showed came when Wayne Rooney didn’t hide his anger or disgust at being subbed. He wasn’t the only one left feeling frustrated.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have become an instant hero with just minutes remaining.

'BULLS***' Rooney absolutely raging after being subbed during Merseyside derby

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a glorious chance to win the Merseyside derby late on, but spooned an effort high and wide
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a glorious chance to win the Merseyside derby late on, but spooned an effort high and wideCredit: REUTERS
Everton sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin could barely believe he had missed the target, and the chance to be a hero
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Everton sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin could barely believe he had missed the target, and the chance to be a heroCredit: REUTERS

But as the ball broke to him around eight-yards out, be ballooned his effort wide, then sank to the turf in despair.

That means Liverpool have now not lost to their fierce rivals in the last 17 league and cup encounters.

By avoiding defeat today, they have also equalled the club record of seven unbeaten in the league at Goodison Park.

This was set between 1913 and 1922.

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