BR ready for another derby rollercoaster
Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool will be completely prepared for another frenzied instalment of the Merseyside derby when the Reds travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Saturday.
The manager is relishing the prospect of his sixth meeting with the Blues and is anticipating a typically quick-paced, robust tie between the rivals.
Fresh from a dramatic FA Cup fourth round victory over Bolton Wanderers last night, Liverpool were out on the training fields at Melwood this morning, preparing for the short trip across Stanley Park.
Rodgers insists preparations will be meticulous ahead of the weekend's 224th instalment of the fixture and that his squad will head into the clash against the Blues brimming with confidence.
"It's very exciting," he told reporters gathered at Melwood. "You get the build-up right the way through the week, but we had our focus on the FA Cup tie. But as soon as the final whistle went last night and we were into the next round, the focus and the preparation was very much on Everton.
"I've been involved in a few of the [derby] games now over the last two-and-a-half years and they are wonderful games to be involved in. They go so fast, they are full of emotion and the quality of the football at times is outstanding under real intense pressure.
"They are incredible games to be involved in as a manager and for the players. We prepare really well for every game and this game is no different. We really focus on the details of the game and whether it's at Anfield or whether it's at Goodison, they are tough games.
"Our momentum at the moment is at a real good level. We're playing well and the balance in the team is really good. We're defending well and we're in a good moment. I'm happy with how it's going for us, considering where we were at the first part of the season.
"In these types of games the form goes out of the window. The derby games bring a different sort of emotion. At this moment in time, we as a team are operating at a really good level. So whether it's home or away, we have real confidence that we can go and win the game."
Everton won their first game in eight league encounters when they ground-out a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace at the weekend and the Blues now occupy 12th place in the Barclays Premier League table, 12 points behind Liverpool.
"It was a difficult first part of the season for Everton," said Rodgers. "They had a lot of games, but Roberto is an excellent manager. He's done really well since he's gone in there and he'll be working hard to find the solutions and find the ways to get them back winning consistently.
"We should have won the derby game earlier on this season. It was one of the few games in that opening period of the season that we played well in. We should have won that, but we're hoping, going to Goodison, that we can put in a performance that allows us to win."
Saturday will see Steven Gerrard face the Reds' oldest rivals for a final time before he departs for the United States in the summer - and while Rodgers is expecting another standout display from the skipper, he insists the midfielder will prepare for the game like any other derby.
"I'm sure the [Everton fans] will be glad to see the back of him," said Rodgers. "He's been an incredible player for this club and played in so many of the derby games and been outstanding. He'll want to go into the game like he does every game. He wants to win for his club and it will be no different his weekend."