Jurgen Klopp says he is looking forward to a ‘proper derby atmosphere and a proper football game’ as Liverpool face Everton on Monday evening.
Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside Derby as the club look to address their torrid run of form. Klopp’s side have won just once in seven matches in 2023 and suffered a humbling 3-0 loss at Wolves last weekend.
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With hopes of a top four finish and Champions League football fading fast, Klopp has demanded a response from his side. The German insists his side are ‘fighting to change’ their situation in the table and admits he relishing a derby fixture under the Anfield lights.
“In recent years Everton can sort problems by beating us when they are not happy,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“For us it is another normal game. We need three points, that hasn’t changed. We have to show a reaction again. We have to show that. This is not a time we wanted to have or a time we are happy to be in. It’s a time we can show that the club is really special. The boys delivered a lot of great moments in the last few years.
“We are fighting to change the situation in a better direction. I believe the better behaved in lower moments the quicker you get into good moments again. I am really looking forward to a proper derby atmosphere and a proper football game.”
Everton began life under Sean Dyche with an impressive win over league leaders Arsenal last weekend and Klopp discussed the threat of Monday’s visitors. He expects Everton to be compact and dangerous from set-pieces, but is hopeful the Anfield atmosphere can benefit his side.
“A very compact side, very good in counter, set pieces will be important,” he said. “You could see that in their last game. A really good game, they had good chances before they scored and the goal eventually came from a set piece. The difference is it is not there (at Goodison Park) it is here. We have to make sure it is clear in the game as well.”
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