Rafael Benitez welcomed the Blues to fortress Anfield seeking to avenge a humbling 3-0 defeat inflicted at Goodison Park earlier in the season.
The Reds, on the back of five straight league wins, were hoping to be a much different proposition this time around and not many gave David Moyes' inconsistent side a chance before kick-off.
Moyes did strike the first psychological blow though, naming Andy Johnson in the starting line-up when the mercurial striker was expected to be out for at least the next couple of weeks.
Benitez went with a 4-4-3 formation with Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt leading the line, while Moyes opted for a more defensive 4-5-1 system with Johnson ploughing a lone furrow in front of a packed midfield.
Liverpool had the first clear chance after Phil Neville brought Crouch down on the edge of Tim Howard's area after three minutes, but Steven Gerrard's poor free-kick was followed by an even worse rebound shot that flew high over the Everton goal.
In the early stages though, Everton were taking the game to Liverpool and Tony Hibbert should have done better with the goal at his mercy from 15 yards but the returning right-back shot straight at a grateful Jose Reina.
The game was shaping to be a classic blood and thunder affair as Howard made a fantastic save with his feet from Crouch a few minutes later and Bellamy was flagged offside after a great move with saw the ball end up in the back of Everton's net.
As the game progressed it was Liverpool who started to show their superiority across the park and Johnson was left isolated up front for the visitors.
The visiting side were not overly troubled at the back, although as Alan Stubbs marshalled the back four superbly and Liverpool's crowd became slightly anxious, they couldn't find a way through.
The Toffees were beginning to shape up as an attacking force as the game progressed and gave the Reds a number of hairy moments as their confidence grew.
Moyes would have been a far happier manager at half-time as Liverpool began looking far from the formidable home side on display for much of the season.
Liverpool did come out with more purpose after the break and the more direct approach had Everton rattled as a strong header from Gerrard allowed Bellamy to run on goal but Howard reached the loose ball inches ahead of the Welshman.
Joseph Yobo was Everton's saviour on 58 minutes as he expertly marshalled Bellamy off the ball when it looked like the dogged striker would out-pace him and slot home.
Johnson almost scored for the Blues as Joleon Lescott found himself in a forward position to play the Everton striker on. However, Johnson did not bank on Jamie Carragher's quick reaction and his shot was blocked.
Gerrard's free-kick on 66 minutes missed the upright by inches as Everton's backs were increasingly against the wall.
Moyes brought on talented young striker Victor Anichebe on 80 minutes to try and provide a valve to release some of the pressure on Everton's beleaguered defence.
Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler replaced Bellamy for the final five minutes, but the Liverpool legend ultimately failed to provide a spark.
Everton came close to a sucker punch on the stroke of full-time as a Mikel Arteta corner caused confusion in the Liverpool area, but luckily for the Reds no-one could get to the loose ball as it rolled harmlessly away.