Reds gear up for last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park
Liverpool FC make the short trip across Stanley Park for the final time on Wednesday night, as they prepare to take on David Moyes’ Everton FC at Goodison Park.
It’s a massive evening on Merseyside as Arne Slot’s Liverpool FC face local rivals Everton FC for the final time at Goodison Park.
The Toffees will leave their old home at the end of the season for Bramley-Moore Dock, with the sense of occasion only heightened by the stakes on offer for both of the city’s famous clubs.
For Slot and the Reds, it’s a chance to put Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup exit at the hands of Plymouth Argyle quickly in the rear-view mirror.
Liverpool FC can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points, with the same number of games played as second-placed Arsenal FC, with clashes against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Aston Villa FC, Manchester City FC and Newcastle United FC all to come before the end of February.
It’s a huge month in the chase for the club’s 20th league title, but Slot’s focus is squarely on the derby and the physical challenges that await.
“I haven't been to one but people tell me at Goodison Park, as at Anfield, it's always a fantastic atmosphere,” said the LFC Head Coach.
“Home supporters are there to support their team and the away fans are mostly loud as well. It's probably going to be a fantastic atmosphere and that's never easy to play against because every single time they cross the halfway line, or they get a corner kick, or whatever happens, the fans will cheer for that.
“Then you have to be mentally really strong as an away team to resist all that, the complete atmosphere, and you still have to be focused on what you have to do; defending the corner kick, defending the set-piece.
“When you have the ball, be as calm as you can in this fantastic atmosphere.
“But it's not the first time for these players that they are playing in atmospheres like this.
“I hope they can focus on what they have to do, but it's not only tactical, you also have to stand up to those emotions because I've noticed also in the Plymouth game that the intensity of the tackles and how aggressive they were, that was a quality of their players but it was definitely also because of the emotions in the stadium, so we have to be up for that.”
Slot revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold may return for the visitors, but Joe Gomez is ruled out after being forced off early at the weekend.
Jarell Quansah, meanwhile, has been speaking about his efforts to impress Slot this season after breaking through so impressively during Jürgen Klopp’s last season at the helm.
The young defender has become an established part of Slot’s first team squad, but is always looking at ways to become a better player for fear of being left behind.
“I feel like at a club like this you always have to prove yourself,” insisted the 22-year-old.
“It’s not just because of maybe a change of manager or coaching staff, I think you’ve always got to prove yourself because we’re always looking in the market for the best players in the world and you’re always competing against the best.
“So, yeah, for me, I’m always trying to prove myself every day in training and in every game.
“Just like last season as well, I’m learning and just trying to get better and better, really. It just takes hard work and what I do on the training pitch will help put me in good stead for what I do in the games.”
Finally, the legendary Sami Hyypia will return to Anfield this March as he joins the Liverpool FC Legends squad to take on Chelsea FC Legends in this year’s LFC Foundation charity match.
Two decades on from helping the Reds lift the Champions League in 2005, the Finn will pull on the shirt again on Saturday March 22 in support of the club’s official charity.
Hyypia, who made 464 appearances and scored 35 goals during his 10 years at the club, will join Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Djimi Traore and Ragnar Klavan as defensive options for the legends team.
You can find full ticket details for the match here.