Arne Slot makes Everton admission as Liverpool prepares for first derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Arne Slot

The Liverpool head coach was shown a red card in his only previous trip to Everton, and said he is expecting another intense atmosphere on his first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium

Arne Slot said Sunday's game against Everton could be a "special" occasion(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot admitted that Sunday’s Merseyside derby will feel “even more special” given it is the first at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Liverpool travels to the other side of the city on the back of the midweek Champions League heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain, and looking to take a huge step towards securing a top-five finish in the table. Eighth-place Everton remains in the mix for the final Champions League spot, and trails Liverpool by five points.

That, coupled with Everton’s desperation to avoid losing a first Merseyside derby in its new home, means there could be an intense atmosphere on Sunday. That was certainly the case last season, when the final meeting at Goodison Park produced a late equalizer and four red cards.

“It is always a very special game,” said Slot. “It doesn’t matter if it is the 60th being played in the stadium, but if it is the last one being played in a stadium or a first one makes it even more special, if that’s even possible.

“Of course, they are in a very good place at the moment. It is always special, but maybe you can add one or two percent to it because it’s the first season.

“It will always be a very special game for them, but also for us.”

Slot lost his cool in last season's trip to Everton(Image: Getty Images)

Slot was one of those to be shown a red card card in that dramatic 2-2 draw at Everton last season, when he clashed with referee Michael Oliver after the full-time whistle.

He and his team were certainly impacted by the intensity of the atmosphere on an emotional night, and Slot is expecting another raucous occasion on the Merseyside docks this weekend.

“The crowd didn’t affect me last season, the referee decisions affected me,” said the Dutchman.

“Last season was my first Merseyside derby in that stadium, so if we played in the same stadium I would probably know what to expect.

Slot and Moyes could guide their sides to Europe this season(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“I think their fans will be loud, as our fans will be as well. It is not the stadium that makes the difference, usually it is the players that make the difference and the fans can have an impact to help the players, that is for sure.”

Asked if this was the right game for his players to show their resolve and battling spirit, Slot replied: “Yeah, but they have showed a lot of character against Paris Saint-Germain as well because being the better team against Paris Saint-Germain is very complicated, let alone if you have to play three games in seven days and you face an opponent that only had to play two.

“They were very well rested and if I saw that a lot of my players broke records in terms of physical output. That tells you how strong and ready they are and it won’t be different for the game on Sunday.”