Both Merseyside clubs are struggling in their own way but Sean Dyche feels no sympathy for Klopp
The Merseyside Derby on the weekend will be an interesting one since both clubs desperately need a win.
Dyche is adamant to defeat Liverpool
Following an important win in his first game defeating Arsenal, Sean Dyche will try to get one over local rivals Liverpool.
“My focus is on Everton, that’s what I’ve been brought here to do – make sure we’re right without focusing on anyone else. That’s absolutely my focus,” he said at a press conference.
“There’s no sympathy in football. I can empathise. You have an understanding of others. He certainly doesn’t want or need my sympathy – trust me.
“Someone who’s as experienced as him and what he’s done in the game. He doesn’t need sympathy from anyone.
“As a manager you can empathise, understand each other’s roles. No matter what level you’re at, you can understand, because it’s a very difficult job.
“There’s an understanding, a shared feeling. I’ve been through it myself when things aren’t always going as you’d wish. But he doesn’t need my sympathy.”
Dyche and Klopp had a fiery exchange when Burnley ended Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten run in the 2020-21 season. Dyche was asked about the incident but he insisted it was normal.
“He felt my coat wasn’t good, like [Aston Villa midfielder] John McGinn did, and he mentioned it.” Dyche added.
“I said, ‘well, you’re not the first to get there, John already did’, so that cleared that one up.”
Switching tact, he added: “I think fans don’t mind that, they want to see two managers standing up for their teams, and then after that, it’s done, end of. It used to be a much more regular occurrence in football, but maybe it’s not now. It was nothing more than both of us standing up for our clubs.”
The former Burnley boss went on to say that he relishes the challenge of facing Liverpool away from home.
“I’m looking forward to it because of the size of it – the city, the mentality of the two clubs,” he said. “I grew up in the 70s and 80s, the historical games, and also I don’t imagine it happens now, but finals when the two fans were combined.” He added.
“I was telling my lad about that the other day. It’s changed a bit now, the way life is. I’m certainly looking forward to taking on the next challenge against them.”
