Jurgen Klopp Issues Caution To Liverpool Players Following ‘Over The Top’ Everton Derby Occurrences.
Jurgen Klopp has urged his Liverpool players to remain composed during the intense derby clash as they get ready for a fiery encounter at Goodison Park tonight. The Reds will make the brief trip across Stanley Park for the 244th Merseyside showdown against Everton, aiming for their 100th victory in the fixture to stay in the hunt for the Premier League title.
Klopp recently expressed his astonishment at the intensity of derbies earlier in his time at Anfield, recalling his first match against the Blues in April 2016, where Everton defender Ramires Funes Mori was sent off for a foul that injured Divock Origi. In October 2020, both Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara faced lengthy spells on the sidelines after challenges from Jordan Pickford and Richarlison, with the latter receiving a red card.
Despite Ashley Young’s dismissal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Everton at Anfield earlier this season, Klopp believes that the fixture, which has witnessed a record 23 red cards in Premier League history, has seen a reduction in its physicality. He emphasizes the importance of his team maintaining a full complement of 11 players on the field, noting that Sotirios Kyrgiakos was the last Reds player sent off in a derby back in February 2010.
When asked if the derby was the most physically demanding game of the season, Klopp responded, “It used to be. Initially, I remember showing the players videos of (Jamie) Carragher in the derby and Stevie (Gerrard) getting red cards. I admire one and have great respect for the other.
“That’s what people anticipate, that receiving a red card against Everton is acceptable. It’s not, it’s absolutely not because our aim is to win the game, and that’s the sole reason we participate.
“At the outset, there were a few instances where I felt it was excessive. Since then, it has somewhat calmed down, and I hope it remains that way because it should. Initially, I thought, ‘wow, are they allowed to do that?!?’ and I couldn’t comprehend it. But over the years, I’ve had to learn these things.
“Anything that makes it an incredibly special football match with all its highs and lows, good and bad, and so on, I’m all for it. However, when it crosses the line, I’m absolutely against it. That’s the way it is. Let’s wait and see.”
Klopp is anticipated to once again rotate his squad as the match marks the third of four consecutive away games within a span of 10 days for Liverpool. Players such as Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konate, and Dominik Szoboszlai are all vying for a place in the team, although Diogo Jota, who scored in his first start in over two months in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Fulham, will be sidelined for a fortnight.
Jota’s goal marked the first time a Liverpool striker scored from open play in over four games, and Klopp has elaborated on his efforts to inspire the forwards to regain their goal-scoring form. “We’re constantly trying and implementing strategies in training, trying everything,” he stated. “It’s not that they can’t do it anymore. It’s always the case with strikers. You go through tough patches. It has always been that way. Once the knot loosens, everything looks completely different. Until then, we just have to create as many opportunities as possible.”