The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fortress will be tested: Klopp
Merseyside record will count for nothing in derby clash
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepts Everton pose their biggest threat in the Merseyside derby for some time and the Reds’ 19-year unbeaten Anfield record counts for nothing.
The Toffees have not tasted victory across Stanley Park since Kevin Campbell’s solitary strike in September 1999 but Klopp feels Marco Silva has the squad and the style to pose a threat.
And no amount of history – Liverpool have not lost a derby for a record 17 matches – will alter that.
“If you wouldn’t say that I wouldn’t even think about it. How can I know what people make of that? I’m a not bit interested,” he said.
“You cannot make anything with these results in the past. It is good that we won these games or got results from these games, the most exciting one was the late winner of Sadio (Mane) at Everton – that felt unbelievable.
“There were good games we played at home to Everton but we have to make sure as a club we create an atmosphere so exceptional it will make it a little bit easier for the players to come into it 100% in a fighting mood.”
Significant investment and a change in playing style introduced by Silva has seen the Toffees move up to sixth in the table, their best league position for some time, and that has caught Klopp’s attention.
“He has the best squad. They brought in players he wanted. Richarlison, what a player he is, last year already (Theo) Walcott came in, this year Bernard came in, (Andre) Gomes, (Yerry) Mina.
“Since I am in (at Liverpool) Everton was always really busy but now it’s the best-tuned squad.
“Analyse Everton and tell me it will be
an easy game, tell me their weaknesses: they defend really good, have good players in all positions.
“It will not be the most easy game in the world but no one expects that in a derby and we shouldn’t do that this time so we will not.”
Klopp will be without suspended captain Jordan Henderson for tomorrow’s game, and has challenged the rest of the squad to step up in his absence.
Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City have done everything to persuade academy graduate Brahim Diaz to stay at the club.
Diaz, the highly-rated 19-year-old attacking midfielder, is out of contract at the end of the season and was this week reported to be ready to sign for Real Madrid.
City boss Guardiola said: “The case of Brahim is very simple. We want him to stay, we want to extend his contract for four or five years and we’ll do absolutely everything to keep him here.”
Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus all remain doubtful for today’s visit of Bournemouth.
Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne (knee) is expected to return in the coming weeks but left-back Benjamin Mendy (knee) and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Achilles) are long-term absentees.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will be without Alexis Sanchez and Victor Lindelof for their Premier League trip to Southampton at teatime today.
Chilean forward Sanchez is set to be sidelined for around six weeks after injuring his hamstring in training on Thursday. Lindelof joins fellow defenders Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian on the sidelines.
Tottenham will assess Erik Lamela ahead of the north London derby at Arsenal tomorrow.
The Argentinian has a thigh injury picked up against Inter Milan and is a doubt, while Kieran Trippier (groin) is not quite fit.
Mousa Dembele (ankle), Victor Wanyama (knee) and Davinson Sanchez (hamstring) are all injured.
Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Alexandre Lacazette.
Nacho Monreal (hamstring), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) remain sidelined, while Mesut Ozil will be pushing for a recall.
Eden Hazard is expected to return from an ankle injury when Chelsea play Fulham tomorrow at noon.