STEVEN GERRARD has compared Everton’s derby tactics to those of Stoke City as the fall-out from Sunday’s controversial Goodison showdown continues.

And the Liverpool skipper believes “revelation” Raheem Sterling has shown he can become a derby hero for years to come.

Gerrard expressed his dim view of Everton following the thrilling 2-2 draw in the 219th meeting between the two Merseyside rivals.

Liverpool had gone two goals ahead only to be pegged back before half-time, but were the more dangerous team after the interval with Luis Suarez denied an injury-time winner by an erroneous offside flag.

Everton have won plaudits from many observers for their more expansive game this season, but Gerrard was swift to put the boot into the approach of David Moyes’s side at the weekend.

“There was only one team who came into the derby trying to play football,” said Gerrard.

“Everton are effective because they have some big physical lads in the team and are very direct. They are effective. But the only team who tried to play football was us.

“I thought we stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke. Every single time they got the ball to their goalkeeper it comes in long.

“We had a young small team and they were all men and stood together.”

The result keeps Everton six points clear of Liverpool in the Premier League table, a situation Gerrard claims is a false one.

“Everton are not better than us,” he said. "I feel sorry for our lads because I thought we were fantastic and deserved to win.