Klopp admits he won’t miss pressure of derby

EVERTON v LIVERPOOL (8pm, live on Sky)

IN Liverpool’s remarkable 2018-19 campaign, when they finished with 97 points but were still one short of Manchester City, their only missteps in the run-in were against Manchester United and Everton.

Both clubs held Jurgen Klopp’s side, who would go on to be European champions, to 0-0 draws and, as the German prepares to face Liverpool’s neighbours for a 19th and final time, the question is whether the Reds’ two bitterest rivals can prove the spoilers again.

Liverpool have already dropped points against United — in a chaotic 2-2 draw at Old Trafford this month — and now Everton have their chance to derail Klopp’s last title push, even if Liverpool’s home defeat at Crystal Palace will probably feel like the decisive game if they fall just short again.

A win at Goodison Park would move them level with Arsenal at the top of the table and heap the pressure on City, who would then trail both clubs by four points but with two games in hand ahead of their game at Brighton tomorrow.

Arsenal’s 5-0 thumping of Chelsea last night has laid down a gauntlet to Liverpool and City, with all three clubs fighting to prove that their European exits have not taken the wind out of their seasons.

Klopp has never lost at Goodison and his 10th win would also be Liverpool’s 100th in the fixture.

But for the outgoing coach, the derby always brings unique kind of pressure which he will not miss and perhaps goes some way to explaining why he is stepping down at the end of the campaign.

“Around the derby is just pressure,” said the Liverpool manager, who will be without Diogo Jota for the next two weeks with a new injury concern. “It’s the one game you definitely have to win. That kind of pressure — why would I miss that? It’s not enjoyable.”

Klopp (left) claimed Everton have “pretty much sorted” their top-flight status with wins over relegation rivals Burnley and Nottingham Forest in their past three games, but his counterpart Sean Dyche will regard the 244th Merseyside derby as just as important to his side’s campaign.