It’s in the brag vows Van

VIRGIL VAN DIJK knows Everton want to win tomorrow’s Merseyside derby for more than just the bragging rights.

It was the same last week when Liverpool travelled to Old Trafford to face bitter rivals Manchester United.

The Reds’ enemies are out to strike a blow to their Premier League title hopes.

They, of course, want to see Liverpool’s 29-year wait for an English league crown tick over to at least 30.

It is part of the psyche of football fans. They don’t want to see Liverpool fans gloating, they want to goad them instead.

But after a 0-0 draw at United last weekend, Van Dijk warned the Toffees that turning up the heat will only fire the Reds on even more.

“I like it to be fair,” said the Dutchman. “It is always something which motivates you even more and it is a great game to play in.

“It’s the derby and it’s special but we want to show our quality and win the game – hopefully with good football, but if not we’ll fight for it.

“I didn’t look at recent games from them but it will be a game full of passion. Obviously you don’t want to lose to lose any game.

“For us the task is to play our game like we have been doing all season.

“We know it is going to be tough, they are a good side with good players, but if we are at our best we have a good chance of getting a result there.”

This will be the 200th league meeting between the sides as Everton look for their first win over the Reds in 18 attempts.

Their last victory was back in 2010 under David Moyes but their last defeat by Jurgen Klopp’s men in December was pretty damaging.

Divock Origi scored a last-gasp winner after a howler from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

Since then the Toffees have won just four league games, lost eight and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Millwall.

When it was put to Van Dijk how that December result affected Everton, he said: “Wow, I didn’t even know that’.

“It’s not going to change the game. Their approach will be different to what has been going on and they had a good result on Tuesday night against Cardiff.

“They now have a good feeling but it will be a totally different game and I am really looking forward to it.”

Liverpool head into the weekend with a onepoint lead over second-placed Manchester City.

Their 5-0 win against Watford on Wednesday suggested the Reds are back in full form after three draws in their previous four league games.

But the Dutchman laughed when it was put to him that they may have put some “struggles” behind them.

“Struggles? We should be on a high already,” he added.

“We are top of the league and a performance like against Watford will definitely help.”