KOP FLOP ... Luis Suarez celebrates Liverpool's opening goal by taking a tumble in front of Everton boss David Moyes
Published: 4 hrs ago
LUIS SUAREZ got his revenge on David Moyes but it was Everton who had the last laugh in a frenetic Merseyside derby draw.
The Toffees boss had warned ref Andre Marriner to watch out for the Liverpool striker's theatrics in the build-up to the match.
But his words came back to haunt him when Suarez lashed the ball in off Leighton Baines for the Reds opener and celebrated by taking a tumble in front of Moyes.
The Uruguayan then doubled Liverpool's lead just six minutes later, flicking in Steven Gerrard's free-kick.
But Leon Osman and Steven Naismith got the hosts back on level terms before the break.
And Suarez had an injury-time goal wrongly ruled out for offside as the two sides were forced to share the spoils.
HIT AND HOPE ... Luis Suarez's cross deflects off Leighton Baines and goes in
Liverpool fielded five derby debutants — Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, Nuri Sahin, Suso and Joe Allen — with Everton having just two in Kevin Mirallas and Naismith.
And it was a frantic first 45 minutes — unleashed by the Reds’ opener after 14 minutes.
EVERTON boss sees funny side of incident - but believes Liverpool striker could have been sent off
Steven Gerrard’s pass sent Jose Enrique, on his first start since October 2, racing down the left and although his cross flashed through the six-yard area it was collected by Suarez, whose drilled cross-shot return was deflected in by Baines.
KING LUIS ... Luis Suarez heads in Liverpool's second
His reaction was to race to the dug-out and dive full-length in front of Moyes.
Ironically, later in the half, it was one of Moyes’ own players Phil Neville who was booked for diving on the edge of Liverpool’s penalty area.
LIVERPOOL boss left angered after seeing late Luis Suarez goal disallowed in Merseyside derby
That prompted a swift retort from injured Reds defender Glen Johnson on Twitter who wrote: “Haha classic P Neville battering Luis for diving, then what does he get booked for?!
“Worst dive ever. Looked like someone tied his laces together while he weren’t looking.”
SUPERSUAR ... Luis Suarez celebrates with Martin Skrtel
Six minutes later Osman’s slight trip on Sterling presented Gerrard with the chance to curl in a free-kick and Suarez’s deft header helped the ball past Tim Howard and into the far corner of the net.
But Everton have not forced their way into the top four this season on a wing and a prayer, and they produced an instant response.
When goalkeeper Brad Jones, still deputising for the recovering Jose Reina who was on the bench, could only punch a corner to the edge of the area, Osman controlled and volleyed home.
LEO SLAYER ... Leon Osman fires in for Everton
The game became even more open with Suarez shooting just wide before Marouane Fellaini, back from injury after two matches out, ran the ball out of play as he bore down on goal when teed up by Nikica Jelavic.
But the Toffees were soon back level when Fellaini’s cross was left by Martin Skrtel and Naismith nipped in front of Enrique to equalise from close range.
Everton poured forward with the excellent Mirallas marauding down the left against the inexperience of Wisdom and Sterling.
BACK IN IT ... Leon Osman celebrates his goal as Luis Suarez looks on
The Belgian had one shot turned away by Jones and another blocked by Skrtel after a brilliant turn took him past Wisdom, reluctant to make a challenge in the penalty area, while Seamus Coleman also blazed over.
After such a rousing 45 minutes, the second half failed to live up to those standards.
Everton suffered a blow when Mirallas failed to appear after the break and was replaced by Magaye Gueye while Rodgers made a tactical switch by bringing on Sebastian Coates, another derby debutant, and Jonjo Shelvey to go 3-4-1-2.
NAISLAYER ... Steven Naismith celebrates after pulling Everton level
Chances continued to be created with Sterling clipping an excellent chance wide having been put through by Enrique while Jelavic just failed to connect in the six-yard box before heading Leighton Baines’ free-kick wide.
Suarez was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after standing on Sylvain Distin’s Achilles after the ball had gone, before Gerrard had a shot blocked by Phil Jagielka.
But there was late drama as Coates nodded down Gerrard's free-kick and Luis Suarez reacted to stab past Howard before the linesman incorrectly flagged for offside.
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Naismith (Oviedo 85), Osman, Neville, Mirallas (Gueye 46), Fellaini, Jelavic. Subs Not Used: Mucha, Hibbert, Heitinga, Hitzlsperger, Vellios.
Booked: Osman, Neville, Jagielka, Coleman.
Goals: Osman 22, Naismith 35.
Liverpool: Jones, Wisdom (Henderson 70), Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Fernandez Saez (Shelvey 46), Sahin (Coates 46), Gerrard, Allen, Sterling, Suarez. Subs Not Used: Reina, Assaidi, Downing, Carragher.
Booked: Sterling, Agger, Suarez.
Goals: Baines 14 og, Suarez 20.
Att: 39,613
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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