Arne Slot wants Liverpool response in derby at Everton after Plymouth defeat 
2025-02-11
Category: sports

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says the defeat at Plymouth Argyle was "not acceptable" and that his side have to bounce back against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday (19:30 GMT). A much-changed Reds side were on the end of an FA Cup upset when they were beaten 1-0 at Plymouth, who are bottom of the Championship, on Sunday.They now face Everton in the Premier League as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points in what is set to be the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park."We beat Accrington Stanley [in the FA Cup third round] but to lose against Plymouth is, of course, not acceptable. As a team, and I think our fans as well, are disappointed by that result," said Slot."We have to show a different side of us on Wednesday because it was not only the result but the performance was far from what Liverpool standards are as well."The match at Everton will be Slot's first derby as Reds boss but the last at Goodison Park, with Everton moving to their new stadium for next season.The original game on 7 December was called off because of Storm Darragh amid fears for supporter safety and, while Everton were beaten by Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, they have won their last three league games under manager David Moyes, who replaced Sean Dyche in January.Slot said he expects a "fantastic atmosphere" but wants his players to "have a cool head but not cool legs" in dealing with the occasion."It is not the first time for these players that they are playing in atmospheres like this," added Slot, who could have right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold available after injury."I hope they can focus on what they have to do but it is not only tactical, you also have to stand up those emotions."I noticed also in the Plymouth game that the intensity of the tackles, how aggressive they were, it was a quality of their players but it was also definitely because of the emotions in the stadium so we have to be up for that."