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By LEWIS STEELE
Published: 09:02 EST, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 09:05 EST, 6 December 2024
Arne Slot says he is looking forward to taking part in the ‘special’ fixture that is the last ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park – and he has called upon his Liverpool team to match the aggression of Everton.
The Toffees will likely be fed by the raucous crowd at the atmospheric old stadium and there is also the factor of Storm Darragh – or should we say Storm Dyche – to factor in as Everton will look to bombard the Liverpool penalty area with crosses and set-pieces.
But Slot is ready for this experience. He said: ‘It is going to be special for everyone, for all the fans involved, for all the players and the managers, to be part is already special and to be part of the last is even more special. But it is only a nice experience if the result goes your way!
‘People told me about the fixture but the main thing I have to know is their playing style, what we can expect. You need to be aggressive but in a smart way. Last season we were very aggressive when we went there because I watched the game back yesterday.
‘But after half an hour there were 10 fouls made by a Liverpool player and only one by an Everton one. Especially because they are a big threat from set-pieces so every time we give away a free-kick in an unnecessary way.
‘We want to be aggressive on the front foot in every game we play but we always try to adjust to the threats the other teams have. They are a very hard working team so if you want to talk about tactics you first have to match their work rate and we can, we have shown we work really hard.’
Slot also defended No 2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher after a 90th-minute mistake saw Liverpool squander a 3-2 lead to draw at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Alisson is close to a return but will not be ready for this clash.
‘It was at 1-0 where Joe Gomez made a mistake and (Kelleher) saved it and it could have been 2-0,’ said Slot, pointing to Kelleher’s positive contributions at St James’ Park. ‘So maybe he saved us a point – if we go 2-0 down you never know what happens.
‘Unfortunately for Caoimh if you make a mistake as a keeper it is very difficult for someone else to cover it up. He has done that for us a few times when someone else has made a mistake. He is in a good place but disappointed like all the others that we dropped points.’
Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa, who played and scored for the Under 21s this midweek, are also close to a return. Liverpool’s midfield all but picks itself with Alexis Mac Allister suspended after picking up five yellow cards this season.