Everton and Liverpool play out grim spectacle ending in goalless draw

Everton 0 Liverpool 0: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he is prepared to back homegrown talent as his team prepares to face English football’s bright new hope in a pivotal game in the chase for a top-four finish.

Nineteen-year-old winger Jordon Ibe — on only his second top-flight start for Liverpool — was the bright spot of a largely forgettable Merseyside derby which ended with honours even for the fifth time in the last 16 meetings.

The winger hit a post with a vicious strike at the end of a typically powerful run in the first-half and no-one else came closer to a winner, although Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, on his 33rd and potentially final derby appearance before leaving for LA Galaxy at the end of the season, and Everton’s Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman could both stake a claim.