This edition of the Merseyside derby was destined to likely be underwhelming. Given how it was sandwiched in between both legs of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie with Manchester City, this rivalry clash was always going to be overshadowed by the European blockbuster.
The kickoff timing, as pointed out by Reds manager Jurgen Klopp as he railed against it, didn’t help. Neither side had much of anything to play for domestically, and Everton has been much less competitive than usual in this derby.
Really the only major story line heading into this one was the fitness of PFA Player of the Year candidate Mohamed Salah, and he ended up not playing.
The match result was an uninteresting goalless draw that inspired the football pundit, journalism and observer communities to post interesting remarks on Twitter.
It makes sense on some level; an uninspiring contest forces one to try and be creative. Here is a small sample of some of the better Merseyside derby tweets as Merseyside derby is a top trending term right now on Twitter.
What time does the Merseyside derby start?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 7, 2018
Everton are never winning a Merseyside derby ever again.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawTel) April 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/BPLRealm/status/982594603722444800
Full time. No goals, no yellow cards. A poor enough Merseyside derby between a team who just don't want to lose vs. a team who just don't want to get injured.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 7, 2018
Empty seats at goodison for the Merseyside derby and they’re boasting about the new stand being bigger than the Kop? pic.twitter.com/3Aqm8YAaj6
— M (@LFC__Missy) April 7, 2018
Well, now that this match is done and dusted, it’s on to the Etihad leg of the Manchester City tie.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune corporation blogging community Chicago Now.
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