'People told me': Arne Slot confirms what he'd been told about Everton fans ahead of first Merseyside derby

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Arne Slot has been exceptional as Liverpool manager since joining this summer, with the Dutch coach set to experience his first Merseyside derby against Everton this weekend.

The final encounter of the sort at Goodison Park, Liverpool head to the blue half of Merseyside on the back of an incredible week which included wins against Real Madrid and Manchester City, with the Reds top of the Premier League by nine points.

With Everton all the way down in 15th, Liverpool fans will be confident about getting one final win at Goodison Park in the Premier League before the Toffees move to their new dockside stadium next season.

And Slot has now shared what he’s been told about Everton fans heading into Saturday’s clash.

Slot told to expect ‘intense’ reception from Everton fans

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the Anfield manager revealed that he has been told to expect an ‘intense’ reception from Everton fans, with this Merseyside derby expected to be a big one for both sets of supporters.

Liverpool will be keen to extend their winning run whilst Everton would love one more big result against their city rivals before leaving their historic stadium for good, and Slot is seemingly prepared for what’s to come from the stands.

Slot said speaking ahead of the game: “The good thing is that the players feel and know, and I think the fans see it as well with how much effort we put in. It sounds so simple to bring this effort every two or three days but now maybe the difficult period is coming up with so many games at the end of a long period.

“We are having a few injuries as well now, especially in our last line, so it is not as simple as it looks the amount of wins we have. And the players know. We hope we can keep putting these performances in, which is needed because now it is Newcastle away and they are very intense with their fans. People told me that the Everton fans can be intense as well! But first Newcastle.”

Slot knows a win at Goodison Park could fuel Liverpool through December

With Slot winning praise from Gary Neville for how adaptable the Dutchman has made Liverpool this season, the former Feyenoord manager will certainly have a plan in store for Saturday’s tie against Everton.

And given how many games Liverpool have to play this December, beating Everton at Goodison Park one last time could be enough to fuel the Reds for the rest of the month to deliver in other big games against the likes of Tottenham, Fulham and West Ham.

Indeed, Liverpool have dominated the Merseyside derby in recent years, and claiming a win in the final fixture at Goodison Park would be a dream way to maintain this winning run that has shot the Reds to top of the Premier League.