Jürgen Klopp addressed the media ahead of the 242nd edition of the Merseyside Derby vs Everton. He addressed the rivalry, preparing for Everton's style of play, and the importance of giving players rest ahead of the big game.
Both Liverpool and Everton have struggled this season, but regardless of records, this fixture always seems to bring out the best in both clubs.
“it was very often now in recent years that it was always like this, that Everton could sort a lot of problems just beating us or whatever,” Klopp said “When they were not happy with what happened around, and for us it was not a normal game but another game where we needed desperately three points. That didn't change, to be honest. But I know where you're coming from, of course. After the game we played again now at Wolves, we have to show a reaction again. I know our people want to see that. I want to see that. We have to show that.”
Klopp admits that Sean Dyche brings a different style of play as the Everton boss, one that presents plenty of challenges for the Reds.
“We can expect a very compact side, very good in counter-attacking really and set-pieces will be very dangerous for us and a very important subject definitely,” Klopp said That's the team, you could see that in the last game, it was good, a really good game. They had a lot of the game in their moments. Of course, Arsenal were dominant, that's clear, but in the end Everton had really good chances before they scored already and the goal came from a set-piece; that's how they scored in the end but they could have scored in other moments as well. So we prepare for the team we saw against Arsenal, that makes sense. And because they are longer together now, all the patterns can be all a bit clearer for everybody. But the difference is it's not there, it's here – so we have to make sure that is clear and will be clear in the game as well.”
After a rigorous schedule, Klopp decided to give the team two days off at the beginning of last week after a loss to the Wolves.
“In Germany this question would have come much earlier: ‘How can you give them two days off when you are in the situation you are in?',” Klopp said In England, you are relaxed about that, to be honest. You can but it is not beneficial, but you can't train every day. Played bad at Wolverhampton, next day we came in and then we took two days off. We did the analysis, we spoke to each other and then we gave them two days off because it's a very long time between Saturday and Monday. But of course, I could have Sunday training or recovery, and then from Monday on we go for them. That wouldn't be helpful at all, it would have been bad, it would have caused injuries, it would have caused a lot of problems – and, to be honest, on Sunday after we spoke about everything I thought it made 100 percent sense that we don't see each other for two days. It was helpful. I left on Sunday in an average mood and came back in a good mood.”.
Rivalries are what makes sports so special. While the Merseyside Derby may not be the most heated in English Football, it is one of the oldest and most important. This year is no different as not only valuable 3 points are at stake, but also bragging rights for Liverpool residents and supporters of both clubs around the world.
Klopp understands that and says his team needs to match the passion of the fans. He even gave them some time off to rest and prepare mentally for the match. This should be a fun one.
