Jurgen Klopp explains why he will not miss Merseyside derbies ahead of Liverpool exit

Jurgen Klopp says he will not miss the Merseyside derby as he prepares for his last meeting with Everton as Liverpool boss.

Klopp will leave his position at Anfield at the end of the season, departing after almost nine years in charge. On Wednesday, he will lead the Reds in the Merseyside derby for one last time.

This fixture, however, is something that Klopp is looking forward to leaving behind, admitting that the pressure makes the game difficult to enjoy and he has too much else to think about.

Speaking ahead of the meeting at Goodison Park, Klopp said: "Around the derby is just pressure. The pressure is higher, so why should the joy be higher?

"You win it, great, but why should I miss the pressure around it? This time, when you're really playing for something, that's the pressure. But when you are both not in a great moment, it's the one game you have to win, definitely. That kind of pressure - why would I miss that? It's not enjoyable.

"Everyone else can only watch it and think 'oh my God, it looks exciting'. But somebody has to make the decisions, somebody has to do this, somebody has to do that.

"So many people visit me around the games and say 'we will not see that anymore or that anymore' and I just want to tell them - I work all the time while you just come here and watch the games. I'm constantly in it, even when the game is over I can't switch off. It's not great to be in this situation all the time.

"Maybe other people enjoy that more than me. But that's something I definitely will not miss."

Klopp has so far lost just one of 18 Merseyside derbies, albeit behind closed doors during the Covid pandemic. He has, however, never lost at Goodison Park.

A victory on Wednesday night would signify Liverpool's 100th win in the fixture's history, gifting Klopp another successful accolade to bow out with.

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