3 Talking Points From Everton vs Liverpool (0-0): Ibe Lights Up A Drab Derby

Steven Gerrard’s last Merseyside derby ended as a disappointing draw as neither Liverpool nor Everton did enough to score in a game that will quickly be forgotten by both sides. Jordon Ibe, a surprise inclusion into the Red’s line up had the game’s best chance as he hit the post with a effort from distance in the first half. Caution was in the air in a derby that will probably be remembered for the late-game scuffle rather than the football that was played.

Although the visitors dominated the game from start to finish, they never really created enough to score a goal, which meant that Everton extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games. The Reds who were looking to looking to move closer to the top four with a win, ended the day in seventh place, four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

1. Ibe lights up a drab derby

Taking part in a Merseyside is an occasion that sometimes gets to even the most experienced of professionals. So when 19-year-old Jordon Ibe was selected to start for the Reds against Everton, it was met with surprise more than anything else. But by the end of the game, the English youngster showed that he was ready for the occasion and demonstrated his abilities in front of a packed Goodison Park.

One of the things that happens usually, when young players are given a go, especially in big games, is they do one of two things. They either retreat into a shell and play a safe game, or they play with no fear, attack the opponent and show just why the manager decided to pick them in the first place. Ibe did the latter as he first he started sensibly by keeping it simple before highlighting just why his time at Derby has done him a world of good. Whether it was trying to take players on, going forward or simply attacking with renewed vigor, the youngster vindicated Brendan Rodgers’ faith in him.

2. Steady progress for Martinez

Although a nil-nil draw in the Merseyside derby  does little to help lift the spirits in what has so far been a terrible season for Everton, Roberto Martinez wouldn’t be too unhappy with a point. Especially, given the Toffees poor recent record in the derby and the fact that they had lost six times in the league, since their win over West Ham at home in late November.

For Martinez, it will be a case of small steps as he looks to ensure that his side aren’t dragged into a relegation fight. A third-straight clean sheet in the Premier League is something that will certainly please the Spanish manager as he looks to sort his defence, which has gone from being one of the best in the league last season, to being one of the worst this time around. While his side’s play can certainly be described as boring and attritional at times, it was enough to take a point against a side that has genuine ambitions of a Champions League spot. With the fixture list set to become considerably easier over the next few weeks, Everton’s hopes of staying in the league are starting to become very real, rather than being wishful thinking.

3. Liverpool struggle to break through

Although Rodgers’ switch to a 3-4-3 has seemed to have got the best out of his summer signings, there are still plenty of question marks about whether that will be enough to see them in the Champions League for the second-straight season. On Saturday, even though Joe Allen replaced Lucas Leiva early on, the Reds who were much the better side, were pressured into making mistakes that put them in trouble early in the campaign.

Ibe, who started for the injured Lazar Markovic slotted in straight away but the rest of the attack, seemed disjointed at times. The pace and the penetration which made them so successful last season was missing from their play, and Philippe Coutinho, who in the past weeks has been their best player, had one of his quiet games before being substituted early in the second half. Aside from Ibe’s effort in the first half, the visitors struggled to create too many opportunities going forward and had to survive a late Everton onslaught in order to extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight games.