David Prentice: Roll on May for another Merseyside derby classic

The fall-out from the 219th Merseyside derby has just about settled down – until the next time.

And there have probably been more talking points after this one than at any time since the series was revived in 1962, following a seven year derby drought. We’ve talked tactics, simulation, goal celebrations, the competence of linesmen, pre-match mind games and who passed the ball more often, more accurately and more horizontally. And it’s been great. Everton v Liverpool at Goodison. Too many times in recent years the post-match emphasis has been unsavoury. We’ve had vile chants, violent challenges and intimidating atmospheres to talk about.

This time the chat has been almost exclusively football-related. If you took offence at Luis Suarez’s swan-dive, Steven Gerrard’s inaccurate long-ball allegations or David Moyes’ pre-match mind games then you really do need to seek a sense of humour. The 219th derby was edgy, intense and controversial – as it should be – but it also stayed on the right side of decency. And it was one of the most memorable in living memory.