Apologies for misunderstandings given...
It is hit and miss to what fares have (and haven't been withdrawn) by Merseyrail. However, when Merseyrail simply state 'All cheap day returns have been withdrawn' to both staff and passengers, it is easy to become mistaken. Also, Merseyrail don't seem to be following ATOC's 'simplification' way of things, (CDRs are now Off Peak Day Rtns!!).
It strikes me as odd that Merseyrail (in their sales briefing to staff) writes that these saver tickets are available by selecting the 'ranger/rover' option from TVMs, (when AFAIK, that is not possible for any TOC as the TVM software would need rewriting). I believe someone from Retail Dept has become confused somewhere along the way here.
Either way, the new ticket is very badly designed (in it's appearance, and I believe it is very confusing to both ticket examiners and customers). A 'single' ticket that they can go backwards and forwards on?! Should have been issued as a ranger/rover (but I imagine that they can't because they won't spend money on new colour stock to make it appear different from the Saveaway). I'd also love for someone to try and travel via London with the +Any Permitted routing on it.
To make this even more confusing, the following ARE still available as CDRs (at least from TVMs):
1) Liverpool - Chester route Birkenhead/Any Permitted - £4.40
2) Liverpool - Chester Zoo route Any Permitted - £18.50
Also, their website has not been updated and still tells you about their off peak day returns:
http://www.merseyrail.org/tickets/off-peak.html