Seamus Coleman says creating a demanding dressing room culture is essential for Everton to achieve sustained success – and players are “fighting” to feature in Carlo Ancelotti’s long-term plans.

Everton resumed their Premier League campaign with a Merseyside derby draw on Sunday but were denied all three points by the width of a post when Tom Davies came close to an 80th-minute winner.

The Blues banished fears their competitive sting would be drawn by the absence of a crowd inside Goodison Park, delivering a hard-running and physical performance.

Indeed, Everton gained the ascendancy late on and opened up Liverpool to provide opportunities for strike duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison and midfielder Davies.

Coleman was happy to acknowledge his side’s stellar effort but at pains to stress Everton manager Ancelotti is growing a team to vie for major honours.

“The performance was better [than in the reverse fixture] but the players and fans are still craving that win against Liverpool,” Coleman told evertontv.

“But I am sure if we can keep that mindset for a longer period of time, not just in little phases [it will come soon].

“We have to realise at this club, we have a world-class manager and as players we are fighting for our futures.

“He is new to the job and I am sure he will want to be putting his stamp on things.

“I want this club to be successful, we all need to be pushing in the right direction and giving everything we have to be part of this team going forward.

“It [competing with the division’s strongest teams] can’t be something that just happens in periods.

“We need to build a culture, demanding from each other in training.

“We wanted to win and felt it was a good opportunity.

“We worked hard and had enough chances to win.

“The performance was good, defensively we did quite well – but it would have been good to get that win we have been craving for a while.”

Coleman was one of his team’s standout players and led by example with his commitment to denying Liverpool’s expressive forwards the opportunity to find their creative feet.

The Everton captain made four of Everton’s 20 tackles and added three clearances and two interceptions in a disciplined display, notably extinguishing the threat of lightening attacker Sadio Mane.

Senegalese Mane’s fellow forwards Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino were both withdrawn as the visitors sought a way through Everton, Jurgen Klopp making five changes in all but counterpart Ancelotti limiting himself to three substitutions and only one before the 88th minute.

“We know the dangers they [Liverpool’s forwards] are, you have to be prepared for that ball in behind, Mane loves to run in behind,” said Coleman.

“We were well drilled, we did our homework on them and I thought we handled them quite well.

“Training has been good, we have been eased back in but it has been very hard with short, sharp games.

“It is testament to the players' [dedication], keeping their professionalism... it was 10 weeks [off] and might have been very easy to get sucked into everyday life and not do what you were supposed to.

“But the lads kept themselves fit, everyone came back in good shape and I am delighted with the performance, just disappointed we didn’t get the win.

“It was odd [playing with no crowd] but having watched the games from Wednesday, it was something you had to prepare for mentally.

“The Club did a good job with the flags.

“Training games are competitive, never mind Premier League games.

“We just have to deal with it.

“We know the fans will be at home supporting us and we will be happy to get them back in the stadium.

“But for now, we won’t be using that as an excuse.

“I was fully prepared mentally for the game.

“It is about switching on your mind to be aware the fans might not be here but it is still a Premier League game.”

Coleman’s fellow defenders Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Lucas Digne attracted plaudits for their measured displays.

And Irishman Coleman, at 31 the senior player in an Everton side boasting an average age of 24.5, singled out 23-year-old Holgate for particular praise.

Holgate has come on leaps and bounds this term to establish himself as a pivotal player for his team.

And, according to Coleman, the centre-half’s on-field progress is being matched stride for stride off the pitch.

“I see Mason Holgate growing as a leader every week and we need to build a culture in the dressing room to demand from each other,” added Coleman.

“We all need to make sure we are part of that and give everything for the cause.

“I am very impressed with Mason.

“I think he has been great, for a young lad he has shown great leadership qualities.

“It means a lot to him to play for the Club.

“He is someone I have grown close to over the past season, trying to help him as much as I can.

“He might be the first to tell you, a couple of years ago I’d have been helping him but giving him a hard time as well.

“You do that because you see the potential in people and that was never in doubt with Mason.

“Now we are seeing the other side, the leadership. He is turning into a real man and we are lucky to have him.”