Georginio Wijnaldum considers clashes between Liverpool and Everton to be the ‘most special’ derby he has experienced.

Anfield will host the 229th edition of the fixture on Sunday, with Wijnaldum looking to maintain his personal 100 per cent record for the Reds against the Blues after playing his part in two victories last season.

And, speaking at Melwood ahead of the game, the Netherlands international told Liverpoolfc.com: “I think this one is the most special one, if you look at the stadiums, how close they are to each other and how big it is.

“You see also in a lot of families that you have people who support Everton and people who support Liverpool and they’re still friends. At other derbies, I’ve never seen that.”

Gini on the importance of the 'most special' derby

Liverpool head into this weekend’s game in fine form, having won their last three matches - against Stoke City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Spartak Moscow respectively - by an aggregate score of 15 goals to one.

Wijnaldum continued: “We did it well against Spartak Moscow, we won 7-0 so that gives us a lot of confidence to play the game against Everton.

“A game against Everton is always a special one because it’s two clubs who are fighting to be the best of Liverpool and you can see it also with the supporters, when you see Everton supporters or Liverpool supporters they always speak about the game.

“The Liverpool supporters say ‘we have to win’ and the Everton supporters ask me to lose the game! Of course you want to win and you can see that everyone looks forward to the game.”