DERBY!!! Everton 1-1 Liverpool: 5 things we learned as 225th Merseyside derby ends all-square

Romelu Lukaku cancelled out Danny Ings' opener at Goodison Park as Everton climbed into 6th in the Premier League table.

It may not be the biggest story in football any more, but this edition of the Merseyside derby still had a Shakespearian edge to the plots and sub-plots that always underpin the most passionate of encounters.



We weren't disappointed, with Brendan Rodgers under pressure, and the Goodison crowd sensing blood, it was a thunderous affair, full of sound and fury...and defensive mistakes.

Danny Ings headed home unmarked to give Liverpool the lead before Romelu Lukaku hit back after poor defending from Emre Can to give Everton a share of the spoils.

Here is what we learned from the encounter.

1) Defensive absentees cost Everton

Everton are struggling with their uncanny streak of defensive injuries.

Most sides would of course – when you lose both full backs and your centre half, it's difficult to remain organised and regimented.

Replacements Tyias Browning, Ramiro Funes Mori and Brendan Galloway all played well, but still had obvious communication problems which allowed too many chances.

2) Liverpool defence suffering too!

Liverpool suffered from a similar problem...without the excuse of injuries.

They have had three years under Brendan Rodgers, but are still a left back and centre half short of a defensive, despite the money spent on trying to find them.

That's why the manager is forced to go with a defensive system he doesn't like and which plainly doesn't work.

His three centre halves all have mistakes in them, and you suspect adding an extra one simply multiplies that equation, not divides it.

3) Liverpool still a team developing

For all their obvious defensive problems, there is still a team waiting to be developed with Liverpool, and it won't take too much to find it.

They have goals in them – plenty of them with Sturridge and Ings, and when Benteke comes back, that will be heightened.

They also have goals from deeper now, with Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino all more than capable.

They may have to relie on goalscoring as the best form of defence.

4) Ings is key to Liverpool

Unlike many to have pulled on the red shirt in recent years, he isn't overawed by the prospect, and even seems to thrive on the pressure that being at such a demanding player brings.

He's been his side's best player in recent weeks, by a long way, and his energy and enthusiasm has endeared him to the fans.

His goals help too, and the one here before half time was a true poacher's moment.

5) Everton have top class youngsters

Ross Barkley and John Stones are the obvious picks, but beyond them, Gerard Deulofeu, who is still only 21, has class oozing from him, and he caused Liverpool so much trouble in the first half.

Browning is the same age and Galloway even younger, but neither were out of their depth in the heat of the derby.

These are real foundations on which the Blues can build a strong future.