That changed nine minutes into the second half. Liverpool attacked with greater conviction and, moments after looping an ambitious effort over the bar, Gerrard drew his side level.

Inevitably, it owed much to his re-established partnership with Torres.

With Liverpool breaking forward, Gerrard’s flicked header found the Spaniard who controlled and then released his skipper on goal for a low shot that went through Howard at his near post. For once, Benitez had reason to be thankful for the intervention of an American.

The Everton goalkeeper was far more resourceful moments later when turning over a powerful Gerrard volley after neat interplay between Ryan Babel, Kuyt and Torres fashioned the opening.

Despite ceding the initiative, Everton remained confident in their ability to soak up pressure and threaten on the counter-attack, despite neither Cahill nor a subdued Victor Anichebe having the same joy as six days earlier.

However, it was from one such rare forward sortie that the home side came close again, Everton’s defenders subsequently out of position as the ball broke down the other end and Gerrard fed Kuyt only for the Dutchman to shoot tamely at Howard.

Another dangerous pass from Gerrard found Torres but his goalbound effort was blocked by Phil Jagielka, and with that went Liverpool’s best chance of victory.

So the most-played tie in FA Cup history requires another game, this latest encounter maintaining the tradition of every Anfield meeting between the teams in this competition ending in a draw.

Who has the final say, however, is still very much in the balance.