It took just 5 minutes for Liverpool to break the deadlock at Goodison Park on Saturday with a swinging corner from Gerrard that was flicked on by Suarez that landed to Philippe Coutinho who had more than enough time to control the ball beautifully and volley in from close range.

Their lead would be short-lived however after Everton responded instantaneously with another set piece ball just 4 minutes later. Leighton Baines sent a long ball into the Liverpool box that fell fortunately to Mirallas who slotted comfortably home to make both teams square again.

Two goals in just 9 minutes, the game was shaping up to be another exciting Merseyside derby.

With Lukaku next to coming close to putting the home side in front, it looked as if Everton would take the lead after a quick break left the forward with just Minolet to beat. Reacting well and quickly however, the Liverpool keeper rushed off his line to close down Lukaku, forcing a goal kick.

10 minutes later it would be that man Luis Suarez to produce something special of a strike to once again send Liverpool back in front. Curling a perfect free kick around Tim Howard’s wall, the American was unable to keep out Suarez’s sublime finish.

An appalling challenge from Kevin Mirallas in the 33rd minute stopped play for a few minutes after the Belgian went in horrifically with a high foot that looked to puncture Suarez’s right knee it seemed. Referee Phil Dowd showed Mirallas a yellow card for the challenge after resuming play 2 minutes later.

Coming to the end of the first half, Mirallas’s challenge seemed to ignite the fire between either side as the game looked as if it had turned into a scene from Clash of the Titans with both sides committing some solid tackles, flooring their victims.

Well, it is the Merseyside derby after all.

The second half started with Liverpool resuming play from the centre, the away side leading 2-1 after a confident 1st half display.

A substitution in the 50th minute saw left-back Leighton Baines being replaced by Gerard Deulofeu after suffering from a foot injury in the first half which left the Englishman unable to continue.

Three minutes later, Mignolet stepped up brilliantly to deny substitute Deulofeu who was through and left with just the keeper to beat, thanks to a slick through ball from Mirallas.

However the Liverpool denied the home-side again making another superb goal stopping save.

On the hour mark, Liverpool had the opportunity to tie up the game with some great dribbling skill from Saurez who swerved in and out of the Everton defence to find Joe Allen who from five yards out, was in acres of space and had the opportunity to either square it to Suarez or simply put it past Howard, the Whelshman unfortunately could do neither as his shot trailed past the wrong side of the near post.

Some end to end play saw Everton nearly find the equaliser minutes later with two attempts from Lukaku breaking through on goal on both occasions to only be denied by fantastic saves from Mignolet whose goalkeeping kept The Reds in front once more.

In the 71st minute, Lukaku finally managed to find the net after his fifth effort on goal after a crisp, clean finish. The Belgian’s first attempt was a left footed shot from outside the box that Mignolet managed to expertly save however, the keeper could not do enough to keep out Lukaku’s second effort in as many minutes after ball in from McCarthy found the Belgian forward.

Everton would then go in front for the first time in the game with a towering and powerful header from Lukaku again with just 9 minutes left. On the attack and forcing a corner from Mignolet, Mirallas sent in a swinging cross that found the 20-year-old, climbing well above his man, Agger. Mignolet could only look on as they had thrown away their lead for the first time in 80 minutes.

Then, with a minute of normal time left to play, a foul on Johnson from Distin saw another set piece ball in from Gerrard that was met with a glancing header by Sturridge whose 3rd touch of the game put Liverpool back on equal terms.

With four minutes of added time, either side held their breath as chances again from Lukaku, Sturridge and Suarez all required reflex saves from Howard and Mignolet to keep either side in it. Moments before the game ended, Everton would make one last effort with Lukaku’s last second effort being turned away for a corner before blowing for full time.

The draw is the second in as many years at Goodison Park with last year’s game finishing 2-2 between the teams. Both teams will feel robbed to come away with a draw however Liverpool will most likely feel more frustrated at the fact that they threw away their lead after so long in control and were then unable to tie up the game on the hour mark.

Everton fought resiliently throughout the entire game with an outstanding performance that saw their victory snatched from them in the last moments of the game. Martinez can be proud of his sides performance after coming from 2-1 down to 3-2 up but will ultimately be disappointed after failing to maintain their lead so late in the game.