Super sub Daniel Sturridge rescued the tie for Liverpool to maintain their three-point advantage over their neighbours in this season's closely fought title race.

The visitors twice took the lead in the first half through Philippe Coutinho and then Luis Suarez, either side of Kevin Mirallas's equaliser.

But Everton converted their constant pressure into goals in the second half, despite a superb display from Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet.

Romelu Lukaku levelled with 20 minutes to play, before the on-loan Belgian struck again with a bullet header giving the hosts the lead for the first time.

But Everton couldn't hold on for those five remaining minutes - Sturridge converting a quickly taken Steven Gerrard free-kick.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was however incensed by Phil Dowd's decision not to send Mirallas off after a horror challenge on Suarez.

The midfielder caught the Uruguayan striker on the back of the knee, but Dowd took his time in coming to the conclusion that only a yellow was warranted.

Rodgers fumed that it was the type of challenge that can end careers.

"Kevin Mirallas is a really honest attacking player and sometimes attackers make those challenges that are poor and that was a really bad one."

But he did admit that a red card - however deserved - may have taken something out of the spectacle of game, "I thought it was a brilliant game.

"We don't want to see players sent off and it was 11 v 11 and great attacking end-to-end stuff but if someone should be sent off then that's what should happen."

Roberto Martinez in the opposite dugout agreed that it was a clumsy challenge, but insisted the referee made the right decision.

"I think a yellow card, bearing in mind the emotions you bring into a derby, was the right decision," he said.

"But I can see why, if that had been against my team, I would've been thinking it would have been a red card."