The last man to win a trophy as manager of Everton, Joe Royle, is in the crowd today. He won the FA Cup with them in 1995 - 20 years ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Rhys Daf williams; Sad to see Advocaat go, he always respected the media and never tried to cover things up by blaming other people.

Jack Pattison: It's a shame Advocaat has left. BUT LET'S GET BIG SAM IN, HE WILL WIN IT FOR US!!! 

Mike Newton Ellis: Sunderland need to stop. And think. The next appointment will need to have a blueprint to sort things out. Think Blackpool and Wigan

Andrew Bain: Notice no one has noticed Harry Redknapp for Sunderland. No one knows the league better. 

Image source, Getty Images

Postpublished at 21 mins

21 mins

Everton 0-0 Liverpool

A much-needed pause to the game as Martin Skrtel goes down injured. Looks like a thumb injury as he has his hands taped up like a heavyweight boxer pre-sparring. 

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman on BBC Radio Merseyside: "The problem with Liverpoool is they have been in the ascendancy but haven't scored. You have  to score when you are on top. Liverpool's Alberto Moreno has started well. He is showing hunger and passion. Danny Ings' game is all about mobility but he is struggling."

Image source, Reuters

High tempo, mediocre quality in the opening stages at Goodison. Plenty of tackles, but not much in the way of ability. A typical derby, in other words.

Former Everton winger Ronnie Goodlass on BBC Radio Merseyside: "We have to get a grip. Gerard Deulofeu has had a couple of lackadaisical touches. Liverpool are pressing us all over the pitch."

Everton's first spell of pressure gets the home crowd really going. Romelu Lukaku gets the ball to feet for the first time but Emre Can does well to hold him off. 

BBC Radio 5 Live

Bolton manager Neil Lennon: "He probably should have left in the close season but he was talked into staying. There was an air of inevitability about it as Sunderland started poorly. It will be interesting to see who they bring in, they can not keep chopping and changing, there needs to be a level of consistency with the choice. Good managers have been mentioned, Sam Allardyce, Sean Dyche and Nigel Pearson, that is the calibre needed to get Sunderland out of trouble.

"A bit of freshness is what Sunderland need."

Hesitation from Ramiro Funes Mori at the back and his clearance is charged down as he's pressed by three red shirts. One of them manages to head on to Danny Ings just inside the penalty area but his powerful, dipping shot is a yard over.

Ings is limping after an earlier challenge though - let's see how he is.

Image source, Reuters

It's all Liverpool. Danny Ings is the next to threaten in behind the Everton defence but Phil Jagielka is the man to the rescue again. Everton need to push on up - their front players haven't seen the ball at all. 

Dalto65: Sad to hear Advocaat has gone, a decent and well respected manager, Sunderland to get Klopp - he did say he fancied a challenge!!

Let us know your thoughts on Advocaat and all of today's matches on Twitter #bbcfootball, external and text 81111.

Charlton tee up a cracking last 10 minutes as Johnnie Jackson's header puts them back in the mix.

Sunderland, of course, are second from bottom of the table, levels on points with Newcastle.

The club's owner has spoken of his sadness about Advocaat's decision - and his admiration that the Dutchman has not taken a financial settlement.  

Sunderland AFC chairman Ellis Short said: “I am truly saddened by Dick’s decision, but I respect him for his honesty and for doing what he feels is right for the club.

"He is a man of integrity and a true football person. He was hugely respectful of the club in taking this decision and he acted 100% in our best interests. It is also testament to his character that he has forgone any kind of a financial settlement, something which is very unusual in football."

All smiles from the former Liverpool manager - he certainly over saw a number of Liverpool victories in this fixture during his two reigns. 

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Great defending! It had to be though to prevent Liverpool from taking the lead. Martin Skrtel as an emergency right-winger, but he puts over a dangerous low cross which Daniel Sturridge would surely bury until Phil Jagielka stretches to cut out.

Liverpool looking good.

Liverpool do look better with a back three, and they are seeing more of the ball in these opening stages. Daniel Sturridge is able to get a shot away under pressure but he drags it tamely wide.

More on the departure of the 68-year-old.....

“I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me," said the Dutchman. "This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this - not for me, but for the club.

"I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time turn things around - like we did last year."

With hindsight, one could argue the end of last season was the right time....

Assistant head coach Zeljko Petrovic has also left the club.  

Great tackle! Tim Howard makes a call to come off his line and meet James Milner on the corner of the box, and makes a fine sliding tackle.

That was risky - but he gets the reward. Gareth Barry then shoots over at the other end in a typically frantic start.

A big test for Ramiro Funes Mori in the heart of the Everton defence today - he is over quickly to sweep up and clear as Philippe Coutinho chases a punt into the corner.