'There's an extra responsibility when you play Everton'
Harry Wilson can't wait for tomorrow afternoon's mini-derby against Everton, with the Liverpool U23s captain labelling the fixture a 'massive, massive game'.
Michael Beale's side host their neighbours at Prenton Park on Sunday in what promises to be an entertaining clash between the two top-scoring teams in Premier League 2.
The young Reds go into the clash having lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions following their 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Tuesday night.
Wilson opened the scoring against United with a cheeky flicked finish, and the U23s skipper is raring to go ahead of another high-profile match for Beale's side.
LFCTV GO: Watch Wilson's audacious goal v United
"I think it doesn’t really matter where the two teams are, Liverpool against Everton is always a massive, massive game," said the 19-year-old Welshman.
"The rivalry is huge and it’s a game we're looking forward to. We'll try and go out there, play our football and get a positive result from it.
"Even though I’m not a Scouser, I know the rivalry as well as anyone. I’ve been here for 10-11 years so any age group when you play Everton there's an extra responsibility on everyone.
"The first tackle, the first header, the first goal, they’re all important and set the tone for the game.
"There's quite a lot of friendships from both teams, obviously the Scousers know each other well and there's a couple of Welsh lads in their team I know well, but as soon as you’re on the pitch, we’re wanting to do well for Liverpool and they’re wanting to do well for Everton so I don’t think friendships off the pitch matter."
Wilson scored a stunning late winner in the mini-derby in March last year, and he has fond memories of that strike.
LFCTV GO: Watch Wilson's late winner v Everton
"That goal definitely ranks up at the top of the goals I’ve scored in my career. I think I’ve got a pretty good goalscoring record against Everton," he added.
"We played them twice last year and I scored in both games and then that last minute winner which I was over the moon with.
"But I don’t do anything differently against Everton, you’ve got to treat it like just another game. You can’t get carried away with the occasion, you’ve just got to play the game and hope the result will come."
You can watch the mini-derby live on LFCTV or LFCTV GO tomorrow (1pm BST kick-off). Need a subscription? Click here.