Liverpool vs. Everton: Jurgen Klopp's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called for his players to keep their heads during Wednesday's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield, saying he will not be asking his team to "kick [Everton's players] out of the stadium."

Klopp was speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, he said:

The German is eagerly anticipating his first experience of facing the Reds' bitter rivals, though, according to the Daily Mirror's Jacob Murtagh: "I like these moments, even when there is pressure on both sides. Three points but a lot of other things to get—to make our fans happy."

Per Pearce, he added:

Further, according to Murtagh, he expects there to be a pulse-pounding atmosphere at Anfield, just as there was against his old side, Borussia Dortmund, last Thursday: "I always expect the best atmosphere-wise. Around the Dortmund game it was outstanding. I’m a newcomer, I take what I can get."

Klopp indicated he would be putting out a strong team to face Everton, but there are likely to be some changes to his lineup from the one that beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Sunday:

Several young players started and impressed for the Reds at Dean Court, including Danny Ward, Sheyi Ojo and Connor Randall, and Klopp revealed he has other emerging talent to call upon if needed, singling out Cameron Brannagan for praise:

However, as Murtagh noted, the 48-year-old is aware Liverpool cannot just rely on their academy graduates if they're to achieve their ambitions: "We are a big club with big targets. We need to win big games. We can’t always play young players."

Indeed, while Liverpool have reached the UEFA Europa League semi-final and are potentially just three games away from a major trophy and UEFA Champions League qualification, Klopp is eager for his side to finish as high as possible in the Premier League: "We should only think about our lineup. Nobody in our dressing room is thinking about the Europa League. We could be fifth."

Though the Reds are still some way off where they ultimately aim to be, Klopp's arrival has made their campaign a much more positive experience than it looked to have been had Brendan Rodgers remained in charge.

Liverpool have the potential to finish their season with a real bang both domestically and in Europe, starting with a win over Everton on Wednesday. The underachieving Toffees have not won in their last six matches and are vulnerable at the back, so the Reds stand a good chance of claiming three points if they can do as Klopp desires and keep their heads.