Liverpool had to settle for a point in the 180th league game versus Everton on Monday night. Steve Gerrard gave the home side the lead midway through the second-half before Tim Cahill headed a late equaliser for the Blue half of the city with just under five minutes remaining. Fernando Torres struck the post in the first-half as the Spaniard played 84 minutes of the derby day draw with their Stanley Park neighbours.

Everton made a lively start at Anfield as Victor Anichebe forced Pepe Reina into making an early save. The Spanish shot-stopper had to be quick to get across goal and push the Blue striker’s 30-yard effort away.

The game was being played at a frenetic pace as both sides looked to carve out an opening. Fernando Torres almost broke the deadlock after reacting quickest to a long ball from Hyypia. The Liverpool number ‘9’ out-paced Everton’s two central defenders but unfortunately for the striker, his shot struck the outside of the Tim Howard’s post.

Liverpool had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Fernando Torres was caught by Phil Jagielka in the Everton area. The defender lost his balance, tripping the Spaniard in the process, but the referee waved play on to the dismay of the home crowd.

Fernando Torres flashed a shot over the bar from just outside the box as the Reds pegged Everton back. The Blues, who were defending deep, were made to pay soon after as Gerrard collected a pass from 30 yards out, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

With just over five minutes remaining, Rafa Benitez decided to bring on a fresh pair of legs for Torres. The forward had made a solid return to the starting line-up, his first start of 2009.

The striker barely had time to pull on his tracksuit as Everton equalised moments later from a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool box. Mikel Arteta fired goalwards and Tim Cahill was there unmarked at the near post to flick the ball past Reina with his head.

The point leaves Liverpool second to Manchester United (who have a game in-hand) on goal difference.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Babel, 89), Keane (Benayoun, 67), Torres (Lucas Leiva, 84)

Goals: Gerrard 67

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Anichebe

Booked: Peinaar, Arteta

Goals: Cahill 86