Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton have both been unable to find the back of the net in a goalless first half in their Premier League match this afternoon.

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The Reds started the game strongly and Raheem Sterling came close early on with a low effort that was gathered by Tim Howard.

Their dominance in the opening stages continued and they felt they should have had a penalty when Sterling's shot was blocked by the arm of Gareth Barry.

Mario Balotelli then saw a long-range free kick pushed behind by Howard, before the keeper got down well to save Adam Lallana's header from the resulting corner.

Everton gradually began to see more of the ball and Simon Mignolet had to be alert to hold on to Romelu Lukaku's drive.

Leighton Baines then found himself in behind the Reds defence, but his pull-back across goal was cleared by Dejan Lovren before it could reach Lukaku.

Sterling saw a fierce strike from a tight angle beaten away by Howard in the final minute of the first half as both teams went into the break on level terms.