Jurgen Klopp’s farewell lap has now reached the final corner and is heading down the finishing straight. While there are only two home games left, the Liverpool manager now has one more assignment in the city on his mind.
That comes at Goodison this evening, when Klopp takes charge of his 19th and final Merseyside derby, with both the Reds and Everton in desperate need of three points for very different reasons.
Liverpool wants to keep up with Manchester City and Arsenal as the Premier League title race comes to a dramatic finish. On the other side of Stanley Park, victory would likely allay any remaining fears of relegation after another season hanging above the drop zone.
Klopp has a great record against Everton, having lost only one of his previous 18 derbies as Liverpool manager, a 2-0 defeat at Anfield in February 2021 to a visiting side led by Carlo Ancelotti. His record at Goodison Park includes two wins (the most recent a 4-1 victory in December 2021) and five ties.
But when the German packs his bags and leaves Merseyside next month, the scraps for local bragging rights will not be one of the things he misses the most.
“Around the derby is just pressure,” he said. “If the pressure is stronger, why should the joy be higher? You win, which is terrific, but why should I miss the pressure? This time, when you’re really playing for something, the pressure is on. However, when you’re both having a bad day, it’s the one game you absolutely must win. That type of pressure – why would I miss it? It is not enjoyable.
“Everyone else can only watch it and say, ‘Oh my God, that looks exciting.'” But someone needs to make the decisions; someone has to do this and that.
“So many people come to me around the games and say, ‘We won’t see that anymore, or that anymore,’ and I just want to remind you that I work all the time while you come here and watch sports. I’m always immersed in it; even after the game is ended, I can’t get out. It is not ideal to be in this condition all the time.
“Perhaps some people appreciate it more than me. But that is something I will certainly not miss.”
Klopp admits that after being a part of the historic fixture – tonight marks the 244th meeting between the two clubs – for nearly a decade, he will be unable to view from a neutral position in the future.
“I will never be able to watch a Merseyside derby without any kind of (emotion),” he said. “I feel the same way as everyone else surrounding these games, but as long as I’m involved, I have to remain cool. However, if I simply watch it, I will undoubtedly have a different type of emotion. I absolutely want Liverpool to win all of them. That means it’s crucial. I know a lot of folks whose lives revolve around the game.
“I had my last European game last week; obviously, we did not make it through, and you may make a big deal about it being my last game, but I just tried to figure out how I felt, and it was nothing. It’s not like I thought I’d never have another European game; if that were the case, I wouldn’t stop playing.
“I had 1,000 games as a manager, certainly more than 100 in Europe, so what do you want? 300? 500? I’m not sure how many you need to be satisfied with what you did. That is not actually my concern. I’ve played at Old Trafford, away versus City, and at home, and I just don’t feel this way. “Not yet.”
Klopp may not miss the Merseyside Derby. But he understands that signing out with another triumph over his neighbours will keep prospects for a magnificent finish to his rule alive.
