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Orel Mangala admits he is relishing his first Merseyside derby experience.
Saturday’s 245th meeting between Everton and Liverpool will be their final Premier League showdown played at Goodison Park after over 130 years.
Sean Dyche’s side head into the contest on the back of a return to winning ways against Wolves while their neighbours dropped points in the title race.
On-loan Blues midfielder Mangala is no stranger to playing in fierce battles for civic pride following his spells in Germany with both Hamburg and Stuttgart.
And the Belgium international, who opened his account in midweek, revealed that he has been awaiting this fixture since his summer arrival from Lyon.
“I am very excited,” said Mangala.
“It will be a good game and something that I have been looking forward to since I came in.
“From when I was young I knew it was always a big game. I am looking forward to playing this type of game. That is why we play football.
“I have had some crazy derbies in Germany. I have been playing against Karlsruher and I played for Hamburg against St Pauli.
“This type of atmosphere is very good. I love it.”
Newcastle became only the third team in this season’s top flight to take points off the Anfield club and Mangala believes it can serve as added motivation.
He added: “In a derby you need to play to win the game.
“I think it is important for the city and for everybody here around the club, even for us, players and staff.
“We go on Saturday and give everything to get the three points.”