MUTUAL ADMIRATION

Pep did not want Arteta to leave City but respects his decision and the pair remain close

me say it like this,” said Klopp. “We are all human beings and of course it was not nice but now it is long gone. Nothing will be carried over.

“We just don’t think about that any more. But it is still a derby and that is enough to be motivated to the highest level to play the best football we can possibly play.”

Klopp claimed after the derby at Goodison, which finished 2-2, that Pickford should have been sent off for the challenge on Van Dijk, who was left with anterior cruciate ligament damage in his right knee.

Everton’s Brazilian striker Richarlison was dismissed for another nasty challenge, on Thiago, which kept the midfielder out for almost three months.

When asked if he will look back on that game as the turning point in Liverpool’s season, Klopp said: “It was an important day, for sure, but I hope I will think of something nicer.”

The German boss insisted that his side must gain revenge against the old enemy in the right way at Anfield tonight.

A win for Everton will draw them level on points with the champions in the Premier League.

Klopp said: “We play the way we play. It is very emotional but we always are emotional.

“What the other team does I have no influence on.

“We are prepared for a football game – a derby – like we always are. Nobody can ever say this team was not ready for derbies from an attitude point of view, or from an understanding point of view. This team has always been, and will always be, ready.”

Liverpool, without a Premier League win on home soil since December 16 (when they beat Spurs), have Naby Keita (above) available for selection after a lengthy injury while Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti should be able to call on Allan and Dominic CalvertLewin, but Yerry Mina is out.

ENGLAND wannabe James Maddison says Leicester’s lofty position is no fluke.

The Foxes, in third spot, have lost only once in 15 games but playmaker Maddison believes they still don’t get the credit they deserve. “I always say we’ve got so much quality, especially in the forward areas, and we’re solid at the back,” said Maddison (right). “We’ve had a lot of injuries as well but it doesn’t always get talked about because we’re not one of the big six clubs.

“We’re utilising the squad brilliantly at the minute and we’re right up where we want to be. We’re not up there by fluke.”

Leicester’s visit to Aston Villa tomorrow brings together four stars determined to clinch a place in England’s squad for the Euros Maddison, team-mate Harvey Barnes, and Villa pair Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley.

But

Foxes boss

Brendan Rodgers has no time for sideshows - all he wants is three points. Leicester narrowly missed out on a Champions League slot last season and want to make amends. He said: “We finished in the Europa League but there was a disappointment hanging around having been where we had for so long. Just missing out last year might have helped us this season.”