Everton vs Liverpool review: Gerard's last-ever derby doesn't match hype

Everton vs Liverpool review: Gerard's last-ever derby doesn't match hype

Steven Gerard's last-ever Merseyside derby didn't match the pre-match hype that domestic media had forecasted for the Liverpool legend. The game was a grim spectacle compared to last season's derby at Goodison (a fantastic 3-3 draw) and even though Liverpool were the dominate team for the majority of the match, no team really looked like finishing off the other and walking away with three points. Jordan Ibe, who spent last season on loan at Derby, was named in the line-up for only his second league start and blossomed under the intensity of the Merseyside derby (coming the closet to opening the deadlock on 26 minutes with a great effort that smacked off the post). Everton were quite reluctant to go forward in the second-half, even with the much-needed pace of Aaron Lennon introduced in the 60th minute. I was puzzled why Ross Barkley was put on in the 84th minute (especially because he was ready to come on just before half-time). Everton may have stopped the run of poor results but they still haven't addressed the problem of transforming possession into clear-cut chances. The fact that it took till the 87th minute for Seamus Coleman to register Everton's first shot on target proves this.

All in all, Gerard and co will be disappointed not to come away from Goodison with three points after creating more chances and taking the fight to Everton. Martinez's side will look at the positives before they head to Stamford Bridge, hoping to improve dramatically on the 6-3 loss in the reverse fixtures in September. There will be no big sign-off for Gerard from the Merseyside derby but at least both teams walked away with something from a grim game. 

FACT: This was only the second goalless meeting between Everton and Liverpool in their last five matches.

Gerard's last-ever Merseyside derby wasn't what the media expected it to be.

Everton vs Liverpool preview: Gerard's last-ever Merseyside Derby

Everton vs Liverpool preview: Gerard's last-ever Merseyside Derby

As an Everton fan, Steven Gerard has become a figure of frustration over the years as he always seem to pull something out the bag against his fiercest rivals, no matter what form he is in. In 32 games against the Toffees, Gerard has scored ten goals and received two cards. Everton fans will be glad to see the back of one of Liverpool's greatest players (if not the greatest!) and look forward to derbies without the ex-England captain in the Reds line-up. Weather he starts in his last-ever derby would be a no-brainier for most fans,players and managers but Rodgers will decide what is best for the team(like any manager should).

Everton's win against Crystal Palace was long over due but a win or a loss in the derby can either decrease or increase the pressure on a manager. Loanee Aaron Lennon gives Roberto Martinez a new option from the bench in a game which is always high-intensity and can either offer quality football or a scrappy and unpleasant game for spectators and players. Liverpool seem to have a new potential trio in the absence of last season's deadly duo (Suarez and Sturridge) and they are Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge. Liverpool are more confident going into the derby, having only lost one in their last thirteen games and having summer signings ,such as Lazar Markovic, show their abilities on the pitch. However, on derby day, form and preparation goes out the window.

FACT: The Merseyside Derby has the record for the most red cards in Premier League history (13 for Everton, 7 for Liverpool).

Gerard has proved to be a key player for Liverpool in Merseyside Derbies and this will be his last-ever one in one of England's greatest rivalries. 

          

Will Mayweather vs Pacquiao happen?

Will Mayweather vs Pacquiao happen?

For years, boxing fans have fantasied about the two best fighters of their generation going head-to-head in the greatest blockbuster main-event of all-time. The two fighters are Floyd Mayweather and Filipino Pacquiao, who hold the WBC and WBA welterweight championships (Mayweather) and the WBO welterweight championships (Pacquiao) between them. Mayweather is undefeated as a professional across five weight divisions and Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion. The pair have respect from every boxing fan and boxer at any level. Now, speculation has been spreading across the Internet faster than a six second Vine after the pair were spotted at an NBA game on Tuesday 27th January 2015, between Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat        

Pacquiao's publicist Fred Sternburg said that a bout between the two had 'a way to go but is moving in a positive direction'. A bout between the two has been called for since the pair both rose to stardom around 2008. Pacquiao reportedly agreed to fight Mayweather on 13th March, 2010, which each fighter getting $25 million upfront. The fight preparation was set out like the Holy Grail of Boxing. The eight-page agreement was so detailed that it indicated which of the two fighters would step onto the scale first at the weigh-in (Pacquiao), who would walk to the ring first (Pacquiao), who would be introduced first (Mayweather) and who had first choice of the locker room (Mayweather). The fight was supposed to be held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, a venue which has become Mayweather's home for boxing in recent years. The bout was called off because of the division in the two camps relating to drug testing. Mayweather wanted random blood testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which Pacquiao rejected as he didn't want to have blood removed from his body thirty days before the fight because he thought it would put him at a disadvantage for the fight (which I totally agree with). After a long and frustrating period of debate about the blood testing window, the fight was officially cancelled off on January 7th 2010.

Pacquiao has tweeted in recent months about fighting Mayweather and about 'giving boxing fans what they really want'. Mayweather has set the ball in motion after swapping numbers with Pacquiao in a surprise and unscheduled first meeting between the boxing legends. Call it what you will but it seems that both competitors have reached the point in their careers when they want to give the fans what they want. It sounds cheesy but they could have ignored each other and decided to move on to negotiate other fights. Let's not forget that Mayweather said that he wanted to fight two more times before retiring for the second time in 2015. One of those fights has been and gone, defeating Marcos Maidana on 13th September 2014. So, a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao could be the last fight in Mayweather's undefeated career and that would make the occasion thousand times more significant. 

Every boxing fan will have their own opinion on two vital questions. One, will it happen? Two, if the fight does happen, who will win? For me, I think it will happen as both fighters seem like they want to fight to happen before they bow out of boxing. In terms of a winner, I think Mayweather may just edge it because of his aggression and punching power. However, it will be a highly intense and evenly matched bout between two of boxing's greats. Hopefully, the fight will happen and fans aren't left wondering who would have won the greatest fight of all-time.

Mayweather and Pacquiao exchange numbers at an NBA game, fueling speculation about a potential blockbuster final on 2nd May 2015.