How many young Liverpool fans will be going into school with a Mario Balotelli-style haircut on Monday morning? The teachers won't be too happy... but at least it's not a Chris Waddle-style mullet.

Image source, AFP

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Anfield

"The tempo has slowed slightly on the pitch and the fans seem to be feeling less frantic in the stands too. Well, a little bit anyway - the Liverpool fans around me remain easily excited, especially when Mario Balotelli gets on the ball, or even goes near it, although I suppose with that hair-cut he is quite easy to pick out. The wait for his first Premier League goal for the Reds goes on, however."

Liverpool continue to be sloppy in possession and Aiden McGeady should do better when he nips in behind the full-back down the left but his ball is too close to Simon Mignolet. If only he had looked up, Romelu Lukaku and James McCarthy were in good shooting positions on the edge of the area.

Tony Pulis
Former Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"This is a cat and mouse game. Everton are trying to push the full-backs back, while Liverpool have the confidence and belief to send one on. You do not want to over-commit and leave yourself exposed, but it is worth the risk.

"I am surprised Leighton Baines did not have a go himself then, he has such great technique and a great left foot but he was unselfish and looked for the pass across goal.

"Because of our position in the commentary box, after this game I am ringing up the BBC and asking for danger money. There were two ladders to get up here - they never told me that! I've never been so high up in my life!"

Don't be too harsh on Mario Balotelli, Ryan. Paul Daniels, external made a career out of a trick or two. Worryingly for Everton, it appears Kevin Mirallas's afternoon is over as he pulls up clutching his hamstring. Aiden McGeady is ready to get his box of tricks out as a replacement.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris White:, external No surprise Martinez has ruined Everton's defence. There was a very good reason Wigan went down - Martinez is massively overrated.

Liss:, external Steven Gerrard being marked out of the game once again...

Ryan Kean:, external Balotelli is overrated. Always tries the same trick or two.

Who wants it more? Leighton Baines or Lazar Markovic? Definitely the Everton defender as he nips in behind the Liverpool lines and rolls the perfect ball across goal but Romelu Lukaku just can't get on the end of it for a simple tap-in.

Ian Stoddart:, external I'm going for Barry, Naismith and Balotelli all to see red. Love a derby!

Dhatweir D Niggie:, external Frantic start to the game. The Merseyside derby is living up to its billing.

Christopher May:, external Feisty start. Penalty shouts at each end turned down - I wouldn't want to be referee Martin Atkinson today...

Tony Pulis
Former Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"The big opportunities so far have come from the corners, and the two penalty shouts. Everton and Liverpool both had claims for penalties, and the referee Martin Atkinson could have given both of them.

"But Liverpool can cause Everton problems if they switch play, coming from one side to the other quickly. Alberto Moreno is trying to get forward as much as he can and Romelu Lukaku does not want to follow him. Everton have really packed the midfield and the space is there on the switch."

The match seems to have calmed down a little now. All that pent-up tension has dissipated and both teams are settling into a rhythm - one where Liverpool do most of the attacking, and Everton look to counter with energetic efficiency.

It's all encapsulated when Raheem Sterling picks out Mario Balotelli in the area, and the striker's poor effort gifts possession to the Toffees who sweep up the other end and Romelu Lukaku's shot is saved by Simon Mignolet.

Tony Pulis
Former Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Everton are trying to slow the game down a bit now. It is interesting to see Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku staying up and wide, with the full-backs joining them coming forward.

"The quality coming in from Liverpool on set-pieces has been absolutely first class. Everton are having to be really bright."

Daniel Sturridge sits in the posh seats, looking a little sad he's not involved in the action. Meanwhile, down in the dugout, Brendan Rodgers is canvassing opinion on some tactics from his backroom team. Once done, he pulls his club blazer tight to his chest, folds his arms and continues to observe.

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Anfield

"It's been a breathless start to the 223rd Merseyside derby, especially for the Liverpool fans sitting behind me yelling 'get into him lad' every time an Everton player has the ball.

Image source, PA

"The home crowd's volume has increased with every chance, penalty appeal and late Toffees tackle - if it were down to them, Gareth Barry would definitely have been sent off by now."

Raheem Sterling is a little livewire as he influences play all over the park for Liverpool. When he's not getting the ball in midfield and setting up attacks, he's jinking down the left wing - and it takes some smart work from John Stones to stop the youngster in his tracks after good link-up play in the penalty area with Martin Skrtel.

Ahmer Murad:, external Can't take your eyes off this Merseyside derby. Extremely high tempo, end-to-end stuff.

Jukebox_Jack:, external Derby day is my favourite footballing day of the year! Come on you Reds!

MJC1973:, external Derby day, and anything could happen as both teams can't defend properly.

Tony Pulis
Former Crystal Palace manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"It is interesting to see how Everton have lined up. Romelu Lukaku is out on the right and Steven Naismith is playing as a deep-lying centre forward, while Kevin Mirallas is on the left. Everton have a back four, a diamond in midfield and Mirallas and Lukaku pushed up but pushed up wide, not through the middle."

This is a rip-roaring start. Tim Howard is called upon to make two good saves - first from Mario Balotelli's deflected 25-yard free-kick, and then to repel Adam Lallana's powerful header from 12 yards out.

Image source, PA

Another penalty shout. This time for Liverpool as Raheem Sterling laces an effort towards goal from the edge of the area, and Gareth Barry, who has already been booked, appears to handle the ball as he star-jumps in front of it. The deafening appeals from the Kop are turned down, but it looked close.

Image source, Getty Images

Ah, this is better from Everton. First Romelu Lukaku bursts into the penalty box and is sent tumbling by Alberto Moreno. Penalty? Martin Atkinson is having none of it - but it's a little warning for the Reds. Martin Skrtel also has to be alert to snuff out a run into the box from Leighton Baines. Neither side is holding back.

Everton don't appear to be flustered by their recent defensive frailties as they play the ball across the back, laying the platform for a foray into the Liverpool half which is quickly snuffed out when they are pressed back.