---
title: "Klopp claims he won’t let Merseyside Derby occasion affect his FA Cup line-up"
canonical: "https://readeverton.com/klopp-claims-he-wont-let-merseyside-derby-occasion-affect-his-fa-cup-line-up/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-01-04T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-01-04T10:00:00Z"
---

# Klopp claims he won’t let Merseyside Derby occasion affect his FA Cup line-up

Jurgen Klopp has claimed that he won’t let the fact that his side are facing Everton in their FA Cup third round tie cloud his judgement over his team selection.

The Toffees will travel to Anfield to face the Reds on Sunday, where Carlo Ancelotti’s men will hope to win their first game at Liverpool’s home since 1999.

Although Liverpool came out on top in this fixture in December, beating the Blues 5-2 in the Premier League, Everton are playing Klopp’s side again at perhaps the perfect time.

![Getty Images/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readeverton.com/readeverton/2020/01/1191367308-1.jpg)

Liverpool have been competing on all fronts over the past few months, meaning that some players are naturally beginning to show signs of wear. The Reds are also missing a number of star players due to injury, although Everton are no better off in that regard.

Klopp fielded a severely weakened team against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup last month, and while some had expected Klopp to field a second string side against Everton, others had expected that the occasion of it being a Merseyside Derby could convince him to go full strength.

However, the German has admitted that he will not let the fact that he is facing Everton affect his team selection, as [reported by Sports Mole](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/fa-cup/news/jurgen-klopp-insists-opponent-will-not-influence-team-selection-for-derby_384919.html) as saying:

> Can I force anyone into that game saying ‘Whatever happens, I don’t care’?
>
> That would not be sensible and I have to be. In the moment when I start getting emotional – and it is not during the game – then all of us at Liverpool have a problem.
>
> I am usually not emotional, I try to make decisions because of situations and not because of the opponent.
>
> We respect them and we respect the competition, respect what the people want us to achieve – that’s a very important part of it – but I cannot do things because of the name of the opponent.
>
> We will try to bring in a team who is capable of doing the physical stuff in that game. I heard a little bit of what Carlo said this morning (in his press conference) and they are obviously on fire and we have to make sure we are ready for that.

As the only manager to beat Klopp’s side this season (for Napoli in the Champions League), Ancelotti will hope to kick his first Merseyside Derby off with a bang.

### Read Everton Verdict

Klopp comments could make you anticipate a weakened side against Everton form Liverpool on Sunday, but that isn’t always a good thing.

Liverpool fielded a second string side in the Premier League in early December, and yet they were still able to dismantle the Blues’ defence. Ancelotti could be Everton’s saving grace in that regard, as Marco Silva was in charge during the last game.

It will no doubt be tough to win on Sunday, with Everton’s miserable streak at Anfield testament to that fact. However, all streaks must come to an end someday, so we just have to hope that Sunday is that occasion.