Arteta 50

Liverpool slipped to second from bottom in the EPL after a toothless display in the Merseyside derby.

Despite plenty of possession, especially after half-time, the Reds created little of note and rarely troubled Everton’s defence.

Everton had a couple of early half-chances but Toffees’ keeper Tim Howard made the first save, tipping over Fernando Torres’ header from a Joe Cole cross on 22 minutes.

Howard’s opposite number Pepe Reina wasn’t called into action until the 28^th minute, saving Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s low drive.

But six minutes later, just as Liverpool looked to be gaining control, Everton went ahead.

Seamus Coleman made good progress down the right and his deflected cross from the by-line fell to Tim Cahill who swept the ball home right-footed from eight yards.

Five minutes after half-time, Everton doubled their advantage in controversial circumstances.

Mikel Arteta drove home a half-cleared corner from the edge of the area past an unsighted Reina, whose view was blocked by Yakubu.

The Everton striker was standing in an offside position but the referee’s assistant failed to flag.

Liverpool’s late pressure yielded just Torres’ 87^th minute strike, saved comfortably by Howard.

And substitute Jermaine Beckford blasted over a chance in the dying moments