Kuyt's penalty in the second half levelled the score
By Marc Vesty
Dirk Kuyt's penalty earned Liverpool a draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton, leaving both sides only four points above the relegation zone.
Raul Meireles opened the scoring with an 18-yard drive after Tim Howard made a double save from Kuyt.
The visitors equalised when Sylvain Distin headed in at the back post before Jermaine Beckford lashed them ahead from close range minutes later.
But when Howard tripped Maxi Rodriguez in the box, Kuyt fired in to level.
With Kenny Dalglish returning to the Anfield dugout as Liverpool manager for the first time in 20 years, there was an air of expectation ahead of the derby clash, heightened by a rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone before kick-off.
Fans' support lifted Liverpool team - Dalglish
However, having replaced Roy Hodgson, Dalglish's return has not exactly gone according to plan so far, with an FA Cup defeat by Manchester United and a humbling at the hands of Blackpool in the week.
Everton, meanwhile, have struggled at Anfield in the past, winning only twice in 18 Premier League visits. But the Toffees' form of late suggested this could change, having beaten Manchester City and Tottenham in their last six games.
Without local boys Steven Gerrard (suspended) and Jamie Carragher (injured) for the 215th Merseyside derby, Dalglish sprung a surprise by including Wirral-born Jay Spearing for his second league start in a Liverpool shirt.
And the 22-year-old injected energy into Liverpool, playing in a combative central midfield trio along with Leiva Lucas and Meireles, which allowed the latter to maraud forward and assist Fernando Torres.
Torres, making his 100th league appearance for Liverpool, almost gave the home side a dream start but he fired his angled drive into the arms of Howard after only nine seconds.
The Spaniard was evidently in the mood and after 16 minutes only the width of the post stopped him opening the scoring following a fine solo effort where he rolled Distin, burst into the area and cut on to his left foot but his curling effort struck the post and Kuyt blazed the rebound over.
With little between the sides, Liverpool took the lead after 28 minutes when Glen Johnson's cross from the left was headed towards goal by Kuyt.
The Dutchman's header was saved low by Howard, who followed that by blocking Kuyt's follow-up shot with his legs but he could do little as Meireles smashed his first goal for Liverpool from 18 yards out.
Seconds later, with Everton reeling, Torres almost doubled the lead when he lashed in an effort but Howard again palmed away and Maxi headed his follow-up over the bar.
However, it only took Everton 43 seconds of the second half to equalise when Mikel Arteta's corner was met by Distin at the back post and the Frenchman out-jumped Martin Skrtel to power his header past Pepe Reina.
Dalglish had talked about Liverpool lacking belief prior to the game and that fragile confidence was again on show as Everton's equaliser immediately knocked the stuffing out of the Reds.
After 51 minutes the turnaround was complete when Leon Osman latched on to Victor Anichebe's flick on and slipped his pass through to Beckford, who was goal-side of Meireles and did not hesitate as he slammed his close-range effort past Reina.
Moyes confirms offers for Pienaar
With 20 minutes to play and his side in control, David Moyes might have been forgiven for entertaining the idea of presiding over a first win at Anfield but the derby was to throw up another twist.
Howard, the hero having already made several key saves, turned villain when he clipped the legs of Maxi as he touched the ball away from goal to concede a penalty.
Kuyt showed his composure to step up and drive his penalty into the right corner and set up a tense finale as both sides threw men forward.
Despite plenty of endeavour, quality and clear-cut chances were in short supply and the two sides, inseparable in terms of league points, ended the game with a point that would have done little to ease either side's fears of being dragged into a relegation tussle.
90:00+2:55 Diniyar Bilyaletdinov challenges Martin Kelly unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
90:00+2:15 James Vaughan concedes a free kick for a foul on Martin Skrtel. Free kick taken by Jose Reina.
90:00+1:26 Seamus Coleman sends in a cross, clearance made by Leiva Lucas.
90:00+0:57 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dirk Kuyt on Marouane Fellaini. Sylvain Distin takes the direct free kick.
88:52 Foul by Dirk Kuyt on Seamus Coleman, free kick awarded. Johnny Heitinga crosses the ball in from the free kick, Sotirios Kyrgiakos
fouled by Marouane Fellaini, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
88:52 Booking The referee books Dirk Kuyt for unsporting behaviour.
88:25 Seamus Coleman has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.
87:51 Corner taken by Marouane Fellaini, Jose Reina makes a save.
85:21 Pass corner from left by-line crossed in by Jonjo Shelvey, clearance made by Phil Neville.
85:10 A cross is delivered by Jonjo Shelvey, clearance by Phil Neville.
83:30 The assistant referee signals for offside against Rodriguez Maxi. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.
81:38 Jonjo Shelvey delivers the ball, clearance by Leighton Baines.
80:48 The offside flag is raised against Dirk Kuyt. Tim Howard restarts play with the free kick.
80:48 Substitution Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replaces Victor Anichebe.
79:59 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Martin Skrtel by Marouane Fellaini. Free kick taken by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
79:59 Substitution Raul Meireles leaves the field to be replaced by Jonjo Shelvey.
77:50 Martin Kelly produces a cross, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.
76:55 Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Jack Rodwell coming on for Leon Osman.
76:44 Shot from deep inside the area by Fernando Torres goes over the bar.
74:20 Unfair challenge on Sotirios Kyrgiakos by James Vaughan results in a free kick. Jose Reina takes the free kick.
72:39 Substitution James Vaughan replaces Jermaine Beckford.
72:27 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson.
71:44 Outswinging corner taken by Raul Meireles from the right by-line, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Johnny Heitinga.
70:45 The ball is sent over by Glen Johnson, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Comfortable save by Tim Howard.
68:31 Rodriguez Maxi gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Seamus Coleman. Centre by Leighton Baines, Headed effort
from deep inside the penalty area by Victor Anichebe misses to the left of the goal.
67:41 Penalty awarded for a foul by Tim Howard on Rodriguez Maxi. Assist on the goal came from Rodriguez Maxi.
67:41 GOAL - Dirk Kuyt:Liverpool 2 - 2 Everton Dirk Kuyt scores a penalty. Liverpool 2-2 Everton.
65:55 Leon Osman concedes a free kick for a foul on Martin Kelly. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Raul Meireles, clearance
made by Phil Neville.
64:47 Leiva Lucas challenges Victor Anichebe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sylvain Distin restarts play with the free kick.
63:34 Foul by Jermaine Beckford on Martin Skrtel, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
62:15 Foul by Fernando Torres on Phil Neville, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.
62:15 Booking Fernando Torres is shown a yellow card.
61:44 Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.
60:58 Leighton Baines produces a cross, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.
60:26 Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a comfortable save.
60:17 Raul Meireles produces a cross, Victor Anichebe manages to make a clearance.
60:00 Corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles to the near post, clearance by Phil Neville.
59:19 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sotirios Kyrgiakos by Jermaine Beckford. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
59:10 The ball is delivered by Victor Anichebe, Rodriguez Maxi makes a clearance.
58:53 The ball is sent over by Marouane Fellaini, Sotirios Kyrgiakos manages to make a clearance.
58:06 Raul Meireles decides to take a short corner. The ball is swung over by Glen Johnson, Leon Osman makes a clearance.
54:59 Shot by Raul Meireles. Tim Howard makes a comfortable save.
53:28 The assistant referee signals for offside against Fernando Torres. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.
52:29 Booking Jose Reina is cautioned.
51:32 Leon Osman provided the assist for the goal.
51:32 GOAL - Jermaine Beckford:Liverpool 1 - 2 Everton Jermaine Beckford finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Liverpool
1-2 Everton.
51:01 Dirk Kuyt concedes a free kick for a foul on Leighton Baines. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.
50:07 Free kick awarded for a foul by Marouane Fellaini on Fernando Torres. Martin Skrtel restarts play with the free kick.
49:52 Marouane Fellaini delivers the ball, Glen Johnson makes a clearance.
48:57 Marouane Fellaini challenges Leiva Lucas unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
48:21 Fernando Torres challenges Mikel Arteta unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
46:50 Leiva Lucas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marouane Fellaini. Sylvain Distin takes the direct free kick.
45:38 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mikel Arteta, assist on the goal came from Mikel Arteta.
45:38 GOAL - Sylvain Distin:Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton Sylvain Distin scores a goal from close range to the top right corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-1 Everton.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
45:01 Substitution Sotirios Kyrgiakos joins the action as a substitute, replacing Daniel Agger.
Half Time
45:00+1:07 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+0:29 Corner taken short by Leiva Lucas.
45:00+0:22 The ball is sent over by Fernando Torres, clearance made by Seamus Coleman.
45:00+0:01 Victor Anichebe takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a comfortable save.
44:48 Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.
44:21 Centre by Jay Spearing, Johnny Heitinga manages to make a clearance.
44:05 The ball is delivered by Phil Neville, clearance by Martin Skrtel.
41:30 Raul Meireles takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save.
40:58 Centre by Jermaine Beckford, Daniel Agger manages to make a clearance.
40:08 Corner taken by Raul Meireles from the right by-line, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.
40:01 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Marouane Fellaini.
39:22 Raul Meireles crosses the ball, Seamus Coleman makes a clearance. Raul Meireles delivers the ball, clearance by Sylvain Distin.
38:52 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles played to the near post, clearance made by Leon Osman.
38:42 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, Johnny Heitinga manages to make a clearance.
37:41 Fernando Torres gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Johnny Heitinga. Tim Howard takes the direct free kick.
36:56 Victor Anichebe challenges Leiva Lucas unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Raul Meireles,
clearance by Marouane Fellaini.
36:19 Jay Spearing sends in a cross, Marouane Fellaini makes a clearance.
35:39 Corner taken by Leighton Baines, clearance by Dirk Kuyt.
35:33 The ball is delivered by Leighton Baines, clearance by Raul Meireles.
33:28 Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Skrtel on Jermaine Beckford. Mikel Arteta crosses the ball in from the free kick.
30:26 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard. Shot by Rodriguez Maxi from deep inside the penalty area misses to
the right of the target.
28:33 Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.
28:24 The assist for the goal came from Dirk Kuyt.
28:24 GOAL - Raul Meireles:Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton Raul Meireles scores a goal from just outside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 Everton.
28:19 Glen Johnson delivers the ball, Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.
27:11 Inswinging corner taken by Leighton Baines from the right by-line, save made by Jose Reina.
27:05 The ball is swung over by Leighton Baines, Glen Johnson makes a clearance.
25:51 Raul Meireles gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikel Arteta. Sylvain Distin restarts play with the free kick.
24:51 Leon Osman is penalised for a handball. Free kick taken by Martin Skrtel.
24:37 Marouane Fellaini takes a shot. Save made by Jose Reina.
24:08 Foul by Raul Meireles on Mikel Arteta, free kick awarded. Johnny Heitinga takes the direct free kick.
23:20 Seamus Coleman challenges Glen Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
23:02 Leiva Lucas is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
21:54 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles from the left by-line to the near post, Close range headed effort by
Daniel Agger misses to the right of the target.
21:47 Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Blocked by Marouane Fellaini.
20:40 Corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta to the near post, clearance by Fernando Torres.
20:01 Leiva Lucas challenges Seamus Coleman unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Johnny
Heitinga, Martin Kelly manages to make a clearance.
19:30 Johnny Heitinga gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres. Free kick taken by Glen Johnson.
18:21 Daniel Agger challenges Leon Osman unfairly and gives away a free kick. Johnny Heitinga restarts play with the free kick.
17:57 Raul Meireles sends in a cross, save by Tim Howard.
16:41 Corner taken by Raul Meireles, Marouane Fellaini manages to make a clearance.
16:36 Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Phil Neville gets a block in.
16:31 Fernando Torres has an effort at goal from deep inside the box hitting the post.
14:32 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Phil Neville results in a free kick. Daniel Agger restarts play with the free kick.
12:39 Corner taken by Mikel Arteta, clearance made by Leiva Lucas. Leon Osman takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which
clears the crossbar.
12:23 Leon Osman crosses the ball, Glen Johnson manages to make a clearance.
10:59 Shot from just outside the box by Fernando Torres goes over the bar.
10:38 Corner taken short by Raul Meireles. Jay Spearing sends in a cross, Leon Osman makes a clearance.
10:29 Martin Kelly sends in a cross, clearance made by Sylvain Distin.
9:12 Sylvain Distin fouled by Fernando Torres, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Tim Howard.
8:43 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Agger by Victor Anichebe. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.
7:15 The official flags Fernando Torres offside. Tim Howard takes the free kick.
5:35 Unfair challenge on Jermaine Beckford by Glen Johnson results in a free kick. Johnny Heitinga takes the direct free kick.
5:06 Centre by Raul Meireles, clearance by Sylvain Distin.
3:23 Jermaine Beckford takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
2:15 The offside flag is raised against Dirk Kuyt. Indirect free kick taken by Sylvain Distin.
1:53 Shot from outside the penalty box by Seamus Coleman goes wide right of the goal.
0:54 Sylvain Distin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres. Free kick taken by Martin Skrtel.
0:13 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a comfortable save.
0:00 The match has kicked off.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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