Brendan Rodgers faced a room of journalists on Thursday afternoon to discuss Liverpool’s Merseyside Derby clash at Everton this Saturday lunchtime.

[table id=27 /]

BR: Both teams have made a really good start to the season. It’s no surprise, Everton have been right up there for a good few years.

We’ve made progress, there’s no doubt about that. Our performance against Fulham was outstanding – just short of 700 passes in the game, which is a sign of our fluidity.

We should have won first derby last season, the second game was a poor one in all honesty.

Merseyside is a wonderful place to be and work, and the games are always a passionate place to be.

They’re [Everton] are going to be there challenging [for the top 4]. They’ve been very, very competitive and up and around for some years.

I sense that there’s anticipation. Last year, the season before, Everton had finished above Liverpool. This year it’s different.

Last year it was a different game [to when we went to Goodison with Swansea]. The hostile atmosphere will test your character.