Everton vs. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's Pre-Merseyside-Derby Presser Comments

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has indicated Simon Mignolet will keep his place in the team ahead of Loris Karius for Monday's Merseyside derby at Everton. 

Per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, he said:

According to the Mirror's Hamish Mackay, he added: "I decided for a player, not against another one."

Mignolet put in a strong performance against Middlesbrough on Wednesday, making a number of saves and helping the Reds keep a clean sheet, while Karius made several errors against Bournemouth and West Ham United.

Klopp will need to manage the situation well to avoid destroying Karius' likely fragile confidence—something he is aiming to do, with Mackay noting the German stressed he also knows "about how fantastic he [Karius] is as a goalkeeper." 

The German is eagerly anticipating his first trip to Goodison Park, per Mackay:

"

It’s very, very, very, very big. Everyone knows about the derby. It’s pretty special.

I watched the movie Creed—my first impression of Goodison Park.

It will be a real battle between two good teams. Motivation will be clear. We will fill each space they give us in the stand. It’s our job to keep the home fans quiet.

"

The Rocky theme did not stop there, however:

Indeed, he was in fine form, as Liverpool's official Twitter feed revealed:

Returning to the derby, he revealed he feels no animosity toward the Reds' rivals, according to Mackay: "I’m part of Liverpool. I like how Liverpool, this city, live with these two big clubs. I have never had any issue with any Everton fans. A lot of nice people support Everton, so I have no issue with this, but it is a game, and we have to respect this. I am looking forward to it."

While the German's comments may not go down well with the Anfield faithful, they will only continue to endear him to the neutral.

Liverpool will have no problem raising themselves for the game, though, and Klopp is well aware of their rivalry with the Toffees:

The Reds are the favourites for the match, with Everton winless in their last 12 games against them.

Ronald Koeman's side have only won two of their last 10 games in the Premier League to boot, though Tuesday's shock victory against Arsenal will have given them a timely confidence boost, so the Reds cannot afford complacency.

Per Liverpool's official Twitter feed, Klopp also gave the latest on Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can's fitness heading into the match:

Reds fans may be more concerned by Joel Matip, however, with Klopp confirming he would be assessed ahead of the game, per Mackay: "We haven’t made a decision. It’s a bit of a painful ankle. We have to see whether to try him for Everton or give him [a] few more days."

If the defender is absent, it will be a blow to the Reds' chances—it's no coincidence Liverpool's worst defensive performances this season have come without him in the side.

The Reds were able to keep a clean sheet against Middlesbrough, but Everton will be a different prospect than Boro—who are the lowest scorers in the league with 13 goals—especially if they're able to replicate their performance against Arsenal on Monday.

Either way, it should make for an exciting game between two committed sides.