West Ham United may have laid their Anfield bogey to rest this season but the problems with the blue half of Liverpool still persist.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Upton Park was a vast improvement on the Hammers’ lacklustre display at Vicarage Road last weekend, but there was still disappointment at the final whistle.

Worse: there was also a sense of relief.

When the board went up to say there were five minutes extra being played there was an audible groan around the ground. In some quarters this is considered ‘Fergie time’ but at the Boleyn against Everton this is viewed as ‘Romelu Lukaku Time’ – the opportunity for the Belgian striker to net yet another goal against the Hammers.

The good news for home supporters is the strong rumour Paris Saint-German and Juventus are considering a summer move for Lukaku (pictured).

There’s a suggestion Everton are prepared to slap a £45 million fee on their striker to ward off potential buyers, but it just might be worth the French and Italian giants dropping into Upton Park if they are having trouble raising the cash. Most Hammers fans will be only too happy to contribute to see the back of the Belgian.

Lukaku scored in his seventh successive appearance against West Ham and it really was no surprise – prophetic tweets were sent to the striker on Friday, congratulating him on his goal.

Quite what problem West Ham have with Lukaku and Everton is difficult to fathom but, in this entertaining but strangely uninspiring game, most supporters will have few good words to say about referee Paul Tierney.

The home crowd were baying after a series of strong tackles that went unpunished.

Many purists will say it’s a good thing when an official lets the game flow but there was a nagging sense Everton started to take liberties.

The tackle on Dimitri Payet by James McCarthy wasn’t vicious but it was the type of challenge that probably wouldn’t have been made had the players not thought they could get away with it.

Payet was obviously in discomfort and it was some surprise to see him re-emerge for the second-half, lasting just five minutes before being replaced.

Worse was to follow, when substitute Enner Valencia – who seemed to be worrying Everton with his pace in a wider position – chased a ball into the penalty area, fell awkwardly after a fair but heavy challenge and was carried off.

Another interminable international break is a bugbear for fans, perhaps, but next Saturday’s fixture against Spurs provides a good opportunity for Bilic to assess his injuries and consider his options.

Without Payet the Croatian may find his work just beginning.