KLOPP HAS THE NEED FOR SPEED

THIS Merseyside derby looks a little different from what we’ve been used to. For years, Everton have made the game as scruffy as possible, right up to last season when they grabbed a 1-1 draw at Anfield with 21 per cent possession.

In my time at Liverpool, Gerard Houllier’s message was always the same; keep 11 men on the pitch, no stupid tackles, no mouthing off, stay tactically disciplined and you’ll win because sooner or later Everton will lose their heads.

Jurgen Klopp’s side should win this afternoon but he’ll be aware he is facing a more cultured Everton team under Marco Silva.

They like to play out from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and have good technical players in Andre Gomes and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

This time it’s in Liverpool’s interest to be the ones who insert fire and passion, to speed the game up and put Everton under pressure.

After they lost to PSG in midweek, I’d like to see Liverpool start at 100 miles an hour and press Everton; put them on the back foot.

Gomes has courage and quality on the ball. If Fabinho or one of Liverpool’s other midfielders sits on him, like Dele Alli did on Jorginho for Spurs last weekend, Everton will be forced to go more direct, which will play into Liverpool’s hands. Richarlison is game but he won’t want to be fighting for long balls against athletic defenders such as Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren or Joe Gomez. Klopp will be comforted by returning to Anfield where his team are unbeaten in the league.

They beat Manchester City three times last season because of their pressure and athleticism and those qualities are going to be key in the derby.

Liverpool still have to keep their discipline but it’s crucial they start well. For once it’s in their interests rather than Everton’s for the pace of the game to be frenetic.