Jurgen Klopp has been discussing his upcoming first Merseyside Derby with the Echo, but has only had good things to say about Everton supporters.
His side face Roberto Martinez’s on Wednesday at Anfield, with Liverpool, then managed by Brendan Rodgers, playing out a 1-1 draw with the Toffees at Goodison earlier in the season.
Klopp’s Liverpool are in excellent form, having beaten Borussia Dortmund over two legs and picked up Premier League victories over Stoke and Bournemouth either side.
“All the Evertonians I’ve met until now have been pretty friendly,” the manager said.
“I’ve met some Evertonians in the street and they’ve been friendly. I’ve had taxi drivers who have been Everton fans. They’ve been really nice.”
Hilariously, Klopp reckons Everton fans might’ve been so nice to him because of his slow start in terms of results when he took over!
“At the beginning I thought ‘okay, maybe they’re happy I’m here because they think that means Liverpool won’t have any success for the next 20 years!'”
Now though, a few more months down the line, there’s the feeling that Klopp’s squad is united and understand his demands.
We’ve put on superb Anfield performances against both Manchester clubs and Dortmund in the past few months, and have the capability to do so again against Everton – who haven’t won in five.
They’re without Seamus Coleman, while Aaron Lennon, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverly face late fitness tests.
Klopp’s likely to revert to his strongest XI, having rested players for the weekend win versus Bournemouth.