LIVERPOOL drew Everton 0-0 in Sunday’s Merseyside derby, which means the Reds remain second in the table for the first time since Dec. 5.

Manchester City leads by a point, and while the Citizens have temporarily jumped ahead of Liverpool by virtue of playing first in recent matchweeks, the advantage is now solely theirs.

A draw is hardly a bad result for Liverpool. Everton is 10th in the table and plays its bitter rival like each encounter is a cup final. Still, this has to be disquieting for Liverpool and its supporters, who have seen many a title challenge fall apart in the late winter and spring during the Premier League era.

The entire match was played at a frantic gait, end-to-end with no end product. Liverpool’s characteristic press didn’t push as high for much of the afternoon, and Reds star Mohamed Salah went scoreless in his third straight league game.

Salah had one of Liverpool’s best chances saved by Jordan Pickford in the 28th minute. His first touch took him toward goal and he opened his body to try and bend a left-footed shot around Pickford, whose strong hand deflected it away.

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho might have had a golden opportunity in front of goal midway through the second half, but his first touch off his thigh let him down when the ball fell his way.

A few minutes later, Everton’s Richarlison came within inches of setting up Bernard after burning down the right flank and playing a ball in, but his fellow Brazilian’s slide was a step late.

Richarlison came on as a substitute, one of several curious lineup decisions made by both managers. Everton boss Marco Silva opted to start veterans Theo Walcott out wide and Morgan Schneiderlin in central midfield over the more influential Richarlison and Andre Gomes, respectively, while Jurgen Klopp chose Divock Origi on the left wing and shifted Sadio Mane central in the attack, likely due to Roberto Firmino’s bum ankle.

Klopp also kept Naby Keita and super-sub Xherdan Shaqiri on the bench the whole match.

Meanwhile, Maurizio Sarri declared the Kepa Arrizabalaga controversy was over after the Chelsea goalkeeper began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Fulham. Sarri’s side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalized at Craven Cottage.

Jorginho restored Chelsea’s lead with his first goal since the opening weekend of the season.

Chelsea was indebted to Kepa for a series of superb saves that preserved its lead after the break, lifting the sixth-placed Blues within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United, with a game in hand.  (SD-Agencies)