Silva denies targeting Merseyside derby draw

Everton's wait for a derby win against Liverpool is now 19 games in all competitions, but Marco Silva was satisfied with a 0-0 draw.

Everton manager Marco Silva claimed his team was trying to secure all three points as well as halt its opponent's title charge.

Marco Silva insisted Everton was also pushing hard to win Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool despite a stalemate denting its rival's Premier League title hopes.

The visitor could not break down the Toffees at Goodison Park although Jurgen Klopp's side created the clearest chances, Virgil van Dijk missing a free header and Mohamed Salah seeing a one-on-one opportunity saved by Jordan Pickford.

Everton had openings of its own but Alisson had little to do in Liverpool's goal, with Silva hailing the home atmosphere while claiming his team was trying to secure all three points as well as halting its opponent's title charge.

RELATED | Everton 0 Liverpool 0: Reds miss chance to reclaim top spot in derby stalemate

"A tough match for both teams. The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic," Silva said to Sky Sports . "If you can repeat this then I am 100 per cent sure that 20 to 30 per cent of our job is done.

"I know it is a special match. Both teams wanted to win, they had a chance in the first half when we lost a ball through a mistake. Both teams had dangerous crosses but we were the better team in the second half. The fans can push our team to win, not just this game but any game. They were the 12th player on the pitch and I expect 80 per cent of that in the next game here.

"What I wanted to give the fans was the three points but we gave them a good performance and desire. We showed a good attitude and they want to see that always."

34 - This was the 34th goalless draw between Everton and Liverpool in English league football - 15 more nil-nils than any other fixture in the history of the Football League. Anticlimax. pic.twitter.com/sE4D74thYe

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2019

 

As well as Pickford's crucial save from Salah, Everton was indebted to centre-back Michael Keane, who made a superb challenge to deny the Egypt star a shot on goal. And the England international accepts it was a boost for Everton to be able to land a blow on Liverpool as the red half of Merseyside chases the Premier League title.

"I tried to keep a line to play offside so I ran back in and took a chance by lunging in and luckily got the ball," Keane told Sky Sports .

"It is a big build-up to the game, everyone asks about it and it is a massive occasion. You have to focus on your job when the whistle goes. I don't think anyone wants their rivals to win the title. We respect them and the team so it is up to them what they do. We played our part by trying to stop that happening."