The Merseyside derby is a huge highlight of the Premier League gameweek, the early game on Saturday looks for sure to be Liverpool’s to lose according to the bookies. Liverpool beat their Merseyside rivals 1-0 at Goodison Park back in December but it’s the Toffees who’ve been in better form since that game. Why you need to be afraid, I dont understand that. Ronald Koeman’s side were 16 points behind the Reds after conceding that late Sadio Mane goal but a win for Everton this weekend would close the gap to three points.
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However, Klopp’s Liverpool are nearly faultless in games against the top teams in the league since his arrival last season. “It is opportunity, not pressure”, the Liverpool manager said of the derby. “I think it is absolutely normal to have contact with the manager of the national team. My main thing is how can we avoid this?” “I didn’t need a second to realise how important this fixture is. Now we have to show it and not talk about it”. However, on Merseyside the past casts a very long shadow. He said: “That is another factor”.
“Liverpool” rounded out the top four of the Premier League.
The German revealed why he relishes games of this nature, where emotions and passion run high, and used an example of playing for his local team in Stuttgart as a youngster of why derby games are embedded in his DNA. “My colleague was sacked a few weeks later”.
Liverpool are likely to have regained the services of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino but are without form midfielder Adam Lallana (thigh) and club captain Jordan Henderson (foot).
Liverpool have been handed a major injury blow with Adam Lallana ruled out for four weeks after suffering a thigh injury while on worldwide duty with England last week.
“Of course (plans are) always affected, because in one week we lost three players who normally start”. We all have to start to work much better together – the FA, Premier League, television and the clubs because we’re trying to sell the best product City and Liverpool was one of the most intense games in the league. Roberto didn’t score but he opened almost all the situations for Brazil.
“When I saw them I thought they would actually look exhausted, but they weren’t”. There was a really big smile on their faces.
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Koeman was also critical of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill’s handling of James McCarthy after the midfielder aggravated a hamstring injury while on worldwide duty this month. “[They] made good transfers in the summer and winter”.
