Rafa Benitez's third-placed side failed to turn possession into goals on a frustrating afternoon which could have finally ended their hopes of getting back into the title race.

And they went close to paying the ultimate price as Andy Johnson almost snatched victory for the visitors with a 60th minute effort which Liverpool keeper Jose Reina did well to save with his feet.

The result leaves Liverpool 10 points behind leaders Manchester United with 12 games remaining and Benitez will regard this as a case of two points dropped by his side.

The Spaniard made one change to the side which defeated West Ham in midweek to stretch their Premiership winning run to five games.

Sami Hyypia made way for the return of Jermaine Pennant yet the biggest surprise was on the Everton teamsheet with England striker Johnson made a quicker than expected return from injury.

Johnson was expected to be out for six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in last month's 2-0 win at Wigan, but nine-goal marksman passed a late fitness test to complete a rapid return one month ahead of schedule.

His appearance provided Everton, who started five places and 14 points adrift of their Merseyside neighbours, with a massive boost as they looked to complete the 'double' over Liverpool for the first time since 1984-85 season following a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Benitez's side at Goodison Park in September.

Yet the visitors found themselves on the defensive for much of the first-half despite Steven Gerrard almost stabbing the ball into his own net inside the opening minute while trying to make a clearance.

Liverpool's best effort of a niggly first-half fell to leading scorer Peter Crouch but the England striker was denied his 14th goal of the season after Tim Howard managed to get his body in the way of his acrobatic effort from 12-yards.

United States keeper Howard denied Dirk Kuyt when the Holland striker tried to place his effort in the top corner of the net in the 26th minute after good work by Gerrard before Xabi Alonso went close from 30-yards.

Yet that was as good as it got in a first half littered with fouls and niggly incidents. This is one of the most competitive fixtures in the English calendar with Gerrard and Everton's Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde both dismissed in the corresponding fixture last season.

Referee Alan Wiley did not have to dish out any red cards this time but he still had his work cut out with Everton's Leon Osman cautioned while Australian international Tim Cahill was fortunate to escape with a caution for a crunching challenge on Jermaine Pennant which set the tone for the match.

The second-half proved just as meaty as the first 45 minutes with Everton skipper Phil Neville booked for a cynical challenge on Craig Bellamy along with Arteta for a foul.

But the free-flowing football which had helped Liverpool sweep back into the top three was once again missing as Everton went closest to snatching all three points on the hour mark.

An error by the usually reliable Steve Finnan let in Johnson who forced Jose Reina into the best save of the match after his initial effort was blocked.

Crouch failed to connect with a late close-range chance but a goal at that stage would have been harsh on the visitors, who defended resolutely enough to earn their point.