Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has described the Merseyside derby against Everton as a special occasion ahead of the Premier League meeting at Goodison Park.
The Dutch international acknowledged the importance of the fixture and the pressure that comes with playing in one of English football’s biggest local rivalries.
Gakpo also noted that the match carries additional significance because it was expected to be the final meeting between the clubs at the iconic Goodison Park before Everton’s move to their new stadium.
Yeah, I think one of the biggest. A very important one for us. So yeah, everybody is looking forward to it,
Gakpo said.
The forward admitted that every player experiences the pressure of a major derby differently but stressed the importance of maintaining focus and following the team’s tactical instructions.
I like to just focus on the game. Obviously, we train things we want to see back in the game and try to focus on those things and the pressure that comes with it, you just embrace it and hopefully make it a good game.
Gakpo also expects the occasion to be particularly emotional for Everton supporters.
It’s going to be maybe an emotional game for both sides but at the end we have to stay as focused as possible and put as much intensity in it as we can to go out there and win the game.
