Merseyside derby new boy Jordon Ibe cracked the post with a vicious drive, but it remains goalless at the break between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.
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Visitors Liverpool were more threatening in the early stages, with Raheem Sterling failing to beat Joel Robles at his near post before Steven Gerrard, probably playing in his final derby, saw his curling free kick tipped over by the Everton keeper.
Brendan Rodgers was then forced into an early change when Lucas Leiva trudged off injured and was replaced by Joe Allen.
Moments later, Sterling's attempted shot took a deflection and skidded across the penalty area into the path of Ibe, who was just beaten to the ball by Robles.
Everton's first real opening arrived midway through the half when Emre Can misjudged a cross from the right, but Steven Naismith could not bring the ball under control to get a shot away.
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Ibe, who was included ahead of Daniel Sturridge for just his second Premier League start, and first this season, was then inches from giving Liverpool the lead when he surged forward and unleashed a drive from 22 yards that rattled the upright.
The remainder of the opening period went by with little goalmouth action. Philippe Coutinho tested Robles with a curling effort, but the Spaniard kept it out comfortably.
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Pascal Lemesre
