Slot focused on winning ‘special’ Goodison goodbye derby

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Arne Slot expects a hostile atmosphere when Everton host Liverpool for the final Merseyside derby in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Saturday, but will only savour his first experience of the fixture with a victory.

Despite failing to win for just the third time in Slot’s 21 matches in charge in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday, Liverpool enjoy a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

Everton, by contrast, are focused on survival to begin life in their new 53,000 capacity stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock next season in the top flight.

But the Toffees thrashed Wolves 4-0 in midweek to move five points clear of the relegation zone and would love to dent their local rivals’ title aspirations.

Goodison, which has been Everton’s home since 1892, was one of the venues where Liverpool’s challenge unravelled last season towards the end of Jurgen Klopp’s time in charge.

A 2-0 defeat for the Reds in April was the first time Everton had won a Merseyside derby at home since 2010.

“I think it’s going to be special for everyone –- for all the fans that are involved, for all the players that are involved and as well for the managers,” said Slot at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“To be part of this game is already special and to be part of the last one at Goodison Park probably makes it even more special. But it’s only a nice experience if the result goes your way.”

Slot is aware of the cauldron his side is likely to face but is keen to learn from the lessons of Liverpool’s rare defeat the last time the sides met.

“You need to be aggressive if you go over there because they will be aggressive as well but you need to be aggressive in a smart way,” added the Dutchman.

“Last season we were very aggressive when we went there because I watched the game back yesterday, but after half an hour I was a bit surprised because Liverpool had the ball most of the time and there were 10 fouls made by Liverpool players and only one by an Everton player.

“So we have to be aggressive but in a smart way, especially because they are a big threat from set-pieces so every time we give away an unnecessary free-kick that is not smart.”

Liverpool will be without suspended midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, while Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa remain out injured.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Chris Ricco/Getty Images

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