Jordan Pickford was pleased to play his part as Everton recorded a welcome clean sheet in their 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

In truth, it could have been so much more for the Blues had Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted second half chances.

Yannick Bolasie also saw a fabulous long-range effort somehow kept out by the fingertips of visiting keeper Loris Karius, leaping athletically across his goal to turn the ball around his post, with Pickford doing likewise to deny James Milner.

And the Toffees glovesman was delighted to secure a clean sheet, only the second the Toffees’ have kept since the turn of the year.

“Milner’s effort was a decent height to be fair,” said Pickford of his first half stop. “I’ve taken the right step and made a comfortable save.

“It is hard when the shot comes from around a player but I train all week to make those kind of saves on a matchday.

“We got the clean sheet, which we have been after for a while because as a group we needed that.

“We have then had a fair few chances and they’ve had a couple as well, and as a keeper it’s our job to keep those out and Karius has done that when he was needed.”

Pickford was also called upon to keep out a Dominic Solanke shot as Liverpool edged the first half, before Everton stepped up a gear in the second.

His clean sheet was given extra value considering England manager Gareth Southgate was watching on from the Goodison stands.

The Blues keeper is, of course, looking to be the Three Lions’ starting keeper when they travel to Russia in the summer for the World Cup but all thought of that can wait.

“I didn’t know Gareth was there,” admitted Pickford. “But it’s a game of football – all I do is try my best and if I keep a clean sheet I am happy.

"I only think about doing my job for the team – that is what I’m there to do.”