Everton nullified Liverpool but lacked confidence to win Merseyside derby, says Jamie Redknapp

Everton nullified Liverpool in the Merseyside derby but should be disappointed with their own attacking efforts in the goalless draw, according to Jamie Redknapp.

Both sides were restricted to a handful chances in a tight encounter, with Everton managing just one shot on target in the 87th minute, their lowest total since November 2013.

However, the result extends Everton’s unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions and Redknapp said there were positives for the Toffees.

“With (Muhamed) Besic, (James) McCarthy and (Gareth) Barry they nullified Liverpool and they found it really hard to find those gaps,” said Redknapp on Saturday Night Football. “You have to credit Everton for that but to have one attempt on target isn’t good enough.

So many teams are playing against Liverpool and being outnumbered in midfield but the fact they took off (Philippe) Coutinho is credit to Everton

"The way that Everton set their system up they were paying Liverpool a lot of respect. So many teams are playing against Liverpool and being outnumbered in midfield but the fact they took off (Philippe) Coutinho is credit to Everton.”

Everton’s best chance came late in the game when Seamus Coleman was denied by a good save from Simon Mignolet.

But Redknapp said their lack of attempts on target in the draw at Goodison Park shows their mindset, especially in comparison to last season.

“Last year against Arsenal (3-0 win) they blitzed them and got after them, and it just shows their current state of mind,” said Redknapp. “They are a bit lacking in confidence but a result like that will give them a bit of belief again.”

Redknapp was also full of praise for Everton midfielder James McCarthy, saying: “He can play for any team in the Premier League, the ability he has and the way he controls games. It was a bit of a risk for Roberto Martinez to play him as he hasn’t played in a while but it paid off. He was the best player on the pitch for them.”

Carragher, who made 500 appearances for Liverpool, agreed with Redknapp's assessment of McCarthy and said he is a 'massive fan' of the former Wigan midfielder.

"Roberto Martinez said he can’t be without him, he is the only one he can’t replace, and I thought he was outstanding," he said.

"He is a top midfielder player and he had the most tackles in the game, even though it’s his first game back. Coutinho and Steven Gerrard have been vital for Liverpool in the last few weeks and he nullified them.

"He is not just a destructive player with great energy but he can play as well. He is a midfield player who ticks every box, the only thing he lacks is goals."