The weekend’s last FA Cup tie ended all-square as Liverpool and Everton fought out a 1-1 draw at Anfield. The game was almost a carbon copy of Monday’s Premier League clash, as Cahill and Gerrard both got on the scoresheet. The Blues took the lead in the first-half before Gerrard equalised for the Reds following a magnificent back-heeled pass from Fernando Torres.

Following a tentative start from both sides, Everton grabbed the lead mid-way through the first-half. Tim Cahill directed Pienaar’s corner goalwards and there was Lescott to glance the ball past Reina from two yards. Poor marking from Liverpool as both Cahill and Lescott were left unmarked.

Liverpool come into the cup tie a little more towards the end of the first-half as Mascherano tried his luck from range. The midfielder’s shot however was deflected behind for a corner.

Fernando Torres tried to get on the end of a long ball over the Everton back four, but Howard raced off his line to clear the danger. The striker was having a frustrating opening half as Liverpool continued to pump hopeful balls forward in search of the Spaniard.

The away team went in at the break happy with their first-half performance as Liverpool had failed to test Tim Howard in the Everton goal.

Rafa Benitez’ half-time team talk seemed to do the trick as Liverpool pegged their Merseyside neighbours deep in their own half from the kick-off.

Everton’s dream of a first win at Anfield since September 1999 lasted until the 53rd minute. A brilliant back-heeled pass by Torres was collected by Gerrard who unleashed a low shot past Howard to draw Liverpool level.

The home team were now bombarding the Everton goal as the Liverpool captain and Torres linked-up again in the Everton box, but this time Gerrard’s shot from the striker’s chest-down was pushed away by Howard.

Liverpool broke well on the right-hand side with Gerrard finding Kuyt in the Everton area. But the Dutch striker’s effort was straight at the Blues shot-stopper.

Fernando Torres came close to winning the game for Liverpool but his goalbound effort from the edge of the six-yard box, struck Jagielka.

The Blues weathered the storm to earn a reply at Goodison Park, as the Merseyside saga looks set to continue…


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Dossena, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel (Riera, 74), Gerrard, Torres.

Booked: Alonso, Carragher

Goals: Gerrard 53

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Anichebe (Gosling, 70), Castillo (Rodwell, 74), Neville, Osman, Pienaar , Cahill.

Booked: Cahill, Pienaar

Goals: Lescott 26