Nigeria ‘s international Alex Iwobi lasted 88 minutes in action as his side, Everton, and Liverpool settled for a barren draw in Sunday’s last Premier League game.
Sunday’s outing was the 19th for Iwobi who joined the Toffees from Arsenal but the Nigerian star could not help his team to victory in the latest instalment of Merseyside derby.
The derby on Sunday was very uneventful, as both teams were far from their normal best.
In addition to playing in an empty stadium that normally holds as many as 40,000 people, both teams have played competitively for the first time in more than three months and it showed.
Liverpool – who were without Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson – were eyeing a win to take them to within three points of the Premier League title but now they need five points to be crowned early champions.
While they’d prefer a victory, Everton will be proud because they’re only the third side this season to take points off Liverpool.
Seven of the last eight Merseyside Premier League derbies played at Goodison Park have ended level.
While there were only few clear cut chances throughout the game, in the latter stages of the game Liverpool came close as a well-taken Fabinho free-kick was just tipped over by Jordan Pickford in stoppage time.
The earliest they can win the title is Wednesday if Manchester City loses to Burnley on Monday night, with Liverpool dropping points for a second successive away match.
Liverpool is on 83 points, 23 above City, who are left with nine matches. With 38 points, Everton is 12th.
