EPL 2016/17: Merseyside Derby is bigger than El Clasico insists Everton manager, Ronald Koeman

Jurgen Klopp and Ronald Koeman are ready for battle

The Merseyside derby is considered one of the biggest rivalries in club football with the Liverpool city rivalry dividing families for ages.

Liverpool face the Toffees at Goodison Park tomorrow with Jurgen Klopp's men looking to maintain pressure on table toppers Chelsea in the title race. Everton are eighth in the table and will look to put a dent in their rivals' title hopes. In his pre-match press conference, Everton manager Ronald Koeman claimed that the showdown between the two Merseyside clubs is bigger than the El Clasico. 

Koeman explained the reasons why he thinks that the battle for the bragging rights between the Merseyside clubs is bigger than the showdown between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona as he said, “The Everton versus Liverpool derby in the city where I work now is bigger with more emotion because of the incredible football culture in this country.

“On Monday night it is my Blues against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in my first big Merseyside derby,” he added.

There is no better person than Koeman to make the comparison between the El Clasico and the Merseyside derby as the Dutchman has played in a number of matches against Real Madrid during his time with the Catalans. He also has the experience of playing in Holland's biggest and fiercest game between Ajax and Feyenoord.

This is Ronald Koeman's first Merseyside derby as an Everton manager and also Jurgen Klopp's first game at the daunting Goodison Park. 

Koeman also spoke about his experience of playing in the biggest games in Europe as he said, "As a Barcelona player, I have been involved in a big number of confrontations between Barca and Real. When it comes to atmosphere and attraction, that match is rated as the most beautiful in Spain and in the world, because apart from the rivalry there is a political edge to this game.

“Barca versus Real used to bring out the best of me. Always. As a player of Ajax and Feyenoord Rotterdam, I have also been on both sides in the Dutch classic."

Koeman faces a daunting task, though, as Everton have not won a game against their rivals since 2010 with the last encounter ending in a humiliating 4-0 loss at Anfield for the Toffees.

Everton have won just one out of their last 19 encounters with the Reds and with the Toffees struggling for consistency this season, Koeman must motivate his players to perform like they did in the second half against Arsenal.