There were no goals between Liverpool and Everton in the first half of the Merseyside derby at Anfield this afternoon

The Toffees had all the possession in the opening minutes, but it was the home side who had the first shot as Jordan Henderson set up Daniel Sturridge, but the striker's effort went well wide.

Steven Gerrard picked Sturridge out with a 40-yard high ball but the former Chelsea man failed the find the target again.

The visitors' best chance of the half fell to Marouane Fellaini, but the Belgian directed his shot straight at Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal, before the assistant referee ruled that Fellaini was in an offside position.

Both teams continued to push for an opening goal as half time approached, but the defenders for both sides held strong, keeping the local rivals level at the break.