LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is still searching for a first victory since his return to Anfield and needed Dirk Kuyt's penalty to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw Sunday in the Merseyside derby with Everton in the Premier League.
Dalglish took over from Roy Hodgson last weekend and has since lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup, and Blackpool.
Raul Meireles put Liverpool ahead just before the half hour in Dalglish's first game in charge at Anfield since resigning as manager in 1991, but goals from Sylvain Distin and Jermaine Beckford in the space of six minutes at the start of the second half put Everton ahead.
Kuyt converted a penalty in the 68th minute to deny Everton a first win at Anfield in nine attempts and keep the teams level on 26 points from 22 matches with Everton 12th, one place above Liverpool.
"(Everton) got two quick goals but we showed a great deal of desire and determination to get back into the game," Dalglish said. "I can see the belief coming back into those players and that's great news ... I have not been surprised negatively by anyone since I came here. I've been really pleased with attitude."
After scoring in the 2-1 defeat at Blackpool on Wednesday, Fernando Torres again looked sharp. The striker came close to adding to his tally in the first half when he held off a challenge from Distin, but his shot come back off the post before Kuyt's effort was deflected wide.
The hosts were dominant and took the lead in the 29th minute through Meireles.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard pushed away Kuyt's header and then saved the Dutchman's shot before Meireles drove in from the edge of the area for his first goal for the club.
Maxi Rodriguez and Torres had opportunities to double Liverpool's lead and Howard also denied Meireles before half time.
But Everton responded just 39 seconds after the restart, with Distin getting the better of Martin Skrtel in the air to head in from Mikel Arteta's corner for the Frenchman.
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