Dominic Calvert-Lewin found it ‘hard’ to get used to ‘strange’ atmosphere at Merseyside derby

Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin has admitted he found it difficult to adjust to the silent atmosphere of Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

The hosts held champions-elect Liverpool to a goalless stalemate at Goodison Park, with Tom Davies’ late strike, which cannoned off the woodwork, met with a muted reception due to the clash being held behind closed doors.

Calvert-Lewin later reflected on the bizarre circumstances surrounding the clash and the lack of the support usually emanating from the stands. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin found it ‘hard’ to adjust to the behind closed doors Merseyside derby

‘It was strange, I can’t lie to you,’ he said. ‘Playing with no atmosphere and no fans, it was a little bit bizarre for a game of this magnitude.

‘Usually the place is bouncing and it was hard to get used to. But we play football for a living and it’s all about focus.

‘The only thing that changes is sometimes you get that little uplift from the fans when they’re all roaring.

Calvert-Lewin was close to becoming the hero but had been foiled by Alisson and headed wide

‘That had to come from within today, which I think it did, and we were unlucky not to nick it.’

Everton are now without a win against their neighbours in 19 Premier League meetings, but almost broke that unwanted hoodoo with a flurry of second-half chances. 

Calvert-Lewin almost made himself a hero for the blue half of the city with an audacious back-heel attempt on 79 minutes, only for Liverpool stopper Alisson to somehow keep it out.

And both sides were forced to settle for a hard-fought point after Davies came inches away from breaking the deadlock on the rebound.

Tom Davies had crashed his effort against the post after Alisson saved from Calvert-Lewin

The 23-year-old also conceded that the quality of the typically ferocious showdown was lacking this time around. 

He added: ‘Obviously it wasn’t as sharp as you’d expect when we had the rhythm of the games before.

‘It’s been a long time out and the players are a little bit rusty.

Everton are now winless against Liverpool in 19 top flight games but battled hard for a point

‘Myself, my timing was a bit off, with my check challenges and my duels and things like that. Those are things you can’t really replicate and it comes with games.’

Everton preserved their hopes of clinching European football next season with the share of the spoils, and Liverpool edged ever closer to winning their first top flight title in three decades.

Jurgen Klopp’s men can become champions by beating Crystal Palace on Wednesday – but are also relying on Burnley to beat Manchester City at the Etihad on Monday night.