Jurgen Klopp maintains that Liverpool’s extended history of supremacy in the Merseyside derby holds no significance as Everton prepares to visit Anfield this Saturday.
Liverpool has suffered just one defeat in their previous 28 encounters with their local rivals. The last loss occurred in February 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic when the stadium was without spectators.
Everton’s 2-0 victory in that match was only their second win at Anfield since 1995 and remains Jurgen Klopp’s sole loss in 17 derby games as Liverpool’s manager. Liverpool has further solidified their dominance by emerging victorious in three of their last four meetings.
However, Klopp emphasizes that his team would be unwise to underestimate Sean Dyche’s side in the upcoming chapter of this intense rivalry.
“It is rather uncomfortable if you tell me about my good record because it doesn’t matter,” he said on Friday.
“We try to make sure we don’t think about these things but make sure we are ready.”
“We understand the importance of the game. I can’t remember one moment when I said ‘weekend derby’ and enjoyed this thought.”
Liverpool, currently occupying fourth place, has kicked off the season impressively, securing five victories out of eight games. On the other hand, Everton finds themselves struggling in the 16th position.
Sean Dyche’s team has managed two wins in their last three matches, enabling them to escape the threat of relegation. Klopp cautioned his players to anticipate motivated opposition in the upcoming encounter.
“There is a lot of intensity even before the first ball is kicked — you have to channel that in the right areas and play the game you want,” said Klopp, who is likely to be without Andy Robertson for several months, with the left-back facing shoulder surgery.”
“The facts are Everton are in a good moment. They stayed up last season when it was not easy and the last few weeks they’ve had good results. They definitely deserve the respect.”
Klopp’s revitalized midfield lacks prior derby experience, as newcomers such as Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo all joined in the recent offseason.
Nonetheless, the manager has faith that they are accustomed to facing challenging situations.
“It is a special game no doubt but a high-pressure game and they all played them. Macca played the World Cup with Argentina, Dom played Serbia recently in a super-important, high-pressure game so they are all used to the kind of game,” he said.
“The exact game, not, but I cannot show them a movie of derbies and say that is how they should be. I don’t think we have to make it too big.”