The Reds captain’s presumptive final appearance in this fixture was low on drama, with neither side able to carve out a good enough chance to decide it either way

Everton and Liverpool played out a 0-0 Premier League draw in a Merseyside derby high on emotion but lacking in quality.

The visitors created more chances and went closest to a breakthrough when Jordon Ibe – making only his second Premier League start – rattled the post with a drive from distance midway through the first half.

Steven Gerrard, featuring in what could be his final league derby, also went close on a couple of occasions but even the introduction of Daniel Sturridge early in the second half could not help Liverpool to find a winner.

A tense affair threatened to boil over 12 minutes from time when a disagreement between Muhamed Besic and Ibe sparked a brief altercation between the two sets of players. Referee Anthony Taylor cautioned Besic, Steven Naismith and Jordan Henderson before tempers were calmed.

For Everton, it was a 10th consecutive Merseyside derby without victory in all competitions, dating back to their last triumph in October 2010.

The draw leaves Roberto Martinez’s men 12th in the table with just two Premier League wins in their last 12 matches while Liverpool are five places better off, having lost just one of their past dozen top-flight games.

The Reds were first to threaten in the 10th minute when Joel Robles tipped away a Gerrard free kick that was heading for the top corner.

The visitors suffered a blow when Lucas Leiva had to be withdrawn on the quarter-hour with what looked like an injury to his left thigh. He was replaced by Joe Allen. Two minutes later, Raheem Sterling’s deflected shot rolled across the box and Robles had to rush smartly across his line to deny Ibe from close range.

Ibe went even closer in the 27th minute when he raced forward into space and thumped an effort off the left-hand post with Robles beaten.

Kevin Mirallas sent a free kick narrowly wide from 30 yards at the start of the second half, although Simon Mignolet looked to have it covered at his near post.

Liverpool hit back with Sterling twice shooting straight at Robles before an acrobatic Gerrard effort was headed over the crossbar by Naismith.

With 55 minutes gone, Brendan Rodgers brought on Sturridge in place of Philippe Coutinho in a bid to break the deadlock. Everton responded with a change of their own as Aaron Lennon, signed on loan from Tottenham on transfer deadline day, replaced Mirallas.

With five minutes remaining there was one final chance for the hosts when Seamus Coleman saw his effort parried behind by Mignolet, as the game ended with honours even.