Klopp Talk: We Will Need Everything Of Our Potential To Get Anything At Goodison

Last season’s derbies were ones to remember. After all, the last time Liverpool traveled to Goodison ended up being Brendan Rogers’ last match as manager of the Reds after the match ended in a draw with goals from Danny Ings and Romelu Lukaku respectively. Jürgen Klopp watched that game, from home, not knowing he could become the next manager of Liverpool as a result.

“I watched the last one at Goodison Park live on television. 1-1, Danny Ings scored, [Romelu] Lukaku scored the equaliser. I didn’t know in this moment I would be the Liverpool coach a few days later or something - I watched it because I had time,” he said, in his pre-match presser.

The next time the two would meet would end very differently - with Klopp having taken control and the Blues’ trip to Anfield ending 4-0. Happy memories, to be sure, fueling the excitement for Monday’s clash when the Reds travel across the park to Goodison. Klopp is no stranger to derbies, but this will be his first time experiencing the atmosphere of the Toffee’s home base and you could say he’s ready.

“Yesterday night I watched the movie ‘Creed’, that was my first impression of Goodison Park! I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a very important period or moment in the season for all of us. Both teams after the last games [are] in a good mood.

“It will be a real battle, I would say. Two good teams against each other and my first time at Goodison Park, so I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked about what the last few matches have shown him and the rest of the team (after coming away from their two matches before Boro with just a point), Klopp remained practical. “I don’t think about it too much. Of course we knew we had to change a few things after those two games and I was really happy with the reaction of the boys, especially in the second half, and we have a really good base. Not from the points side, although that’s not bad too, but more from the performance side.

“We can trust ourselves that on a normal day we are in pretty good shape, but then you put in angriness, aggressiveness, desire, the final motivation and all that stuff and then it makes a real performance.”

Sounds like the making of an unforgettable derby performance and Klopp agreed. “So I’m not in doubt about our quality, not for a second, but I know we will need everything of our potential and quality to get anything at Goodison Park. It will be interesting, that’s how football should be.”