Liverpool: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made it clear that emotion of a Merseyside derby would not influence him on team selection despite believing Everton are "on fire".
Liverpool have remained unbeaten against their rivals Everton at Anfield since 1999, however, Sunday's third-round FA Cup clash represents the Toffees' best chance in some considerable time as many of Liverpool's players were struggling with fatigue.
Most of the Reds' players have featured in the club's 32 matches this season which includes the trip to Istanbul to win the European Super Cup and Qatar to lift the Club World Cup and are thus in dire need of a rest.
“Can I force anyone into that game saying ‘Whatever happens, I don’t care’?” he said.
“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.
“People have told me already a couple of times I wouldn’t respect the cup competitions but that is not true.
“But my first job is to respect the players, my absolutely number one job. I see them every day, every second, I see them all the time and I have to make a decision is it allowed to bring them again or not?”
Liverpool will be without seven senior players while heading into the tie as all off Naby Keita, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Nathaniel Clyne, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho all being sidelined due to injury.
