Jurgen Klopp has never been to Goodison Park before but the Liverpool manager is dreaming of landing a knockout blow in the Merseyside derby after a late-night viewing of the latest Rocky film.

Klopp was already looking forward to Monday's trip across Stanley Park when some late-night channel-hopping drew him to last year's Rocky reboot 'Creed'.

In the film Sylvester Stallone's latest protege takes on a character played by WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew and the climactic fight takes place at Everton's home ground.

Bellew - a staunch Toffees supporter in real life and on screen - wins the bout but that did not ruin Klopp's enjoyment, or his vicarious experience of the stadium.

"Last night when I watched Creed that was my first impression of Goodison Park," said the Reds boss, who would be happy to go the distance with Everton provided the Reds win on points.

"When I came home I had nothing to do so I decided to watch a film, I found Creed and it was really good but I had no idea Goodison played a part.

"There are not a lot of coincidences in life but this was my first impression. It looked good.

"The favourite (Bellew's character) was from Liverpool but I have a little bit of sympathy with the other guy.

"Rocky is a wonderful story, I've loved it my whole life. Maybe some time I will go to the steps in Philadelphia, but not this week."

Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Simon Mignolet, Liverpool Strong in the box and was alert to the danger of Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole. Dealt with set pieces well. 7 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Emre Can, Liverpool Looked rattled after taking a hefty elbow from Andy Carroll in the early stages but grew into the game despite being picked on by the big centre-forward on several occasions. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Martin Skrtel, Liverpool Typically strong performance from the centre back, cancelled out Andy Carroll well. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool Was strong when called upon, although he wasn’t really tested defensively down the left. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Lazar Markovic, Liverpool Cut into the centre a number of times and looked dangerous when he did, but missed a gift of chance after Stuart Downing failed to clear his lines. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Jordan Henderson, Liverpool A decent enough performance, blasted some efforts goalwards from range but never really threatened West Ham. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Lucas, Liverpool Contributed to Liverpool’s build up play but didn’t produce any clear-cut chances. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Alberto Moreno, Liverpool Struggled to provide any spark in the Liverpool attack. Produced some nice passes but nothing that troubled West Ham’s defence. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Coutinho, Liverpool His passing and vision was sublime as he provided assists for both Liverpool goals. A very good game. 8 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Adam Lallana, Liverpool A so-so performance, Lallana was outshone by his teammates for club and country. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Raheem Sterling, Liverpool The fulcrum of the Liverpool attack, he showed speed and skill all afternoon. Took his chance well to put Liverpool ahead. 9 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings BEST OFF THE BENCH: Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool Looked sharp from the word go and hit in a brilliant finish to stretch Liverpool’s lead. 8 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Adrián, West Ham Sterling took his chance well and left the Spaniard with little chance to save but he’ll be disappointed that he was beaten at his near post for Liverpool’s second. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Joey O'Brien, West Ham Positive play down the right but lacking in quality with his crossing. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings James Collins, West Ham.jpg Strong performance despite nursing a back strain. Disrupted a number of Liverpool attacks but was caught out of position for Sterling’s goal. 7 Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Winston Reid, West Ham Did a good job mopping up chances in the first half but was caught out by the speed of the Liverpool break. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Aaron Cresswell, West Ham Ponderous with his passing and failed to produce anything for the West Ham attack. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Alex Song.jpg Looked a yard off the pace, his quality didn’t match his enthusiasm. Was clumsy in his defending and gave away a number of free kicks in dangerous areas. 4 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Morgan Amalfitano, West Ham Strong winning the ball back in midfield at the start but faded away before being replaced early in the second half. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Stewart Downing, West Ham Messy in defence and gifted Markovic a chance that should have provided a goal. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Kevin Nolan, West Ham Replaced Downing at the tip of the midfield diamond to much less effect than his countryman. He produced very few chances. 5 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Enner Valencia, West Ham West Ham’s brightest player by a mile. He had a good game creating chances and had a few decent efforts from range. 6 Getty Liverpool vs West Ham player ratings Andy Carroll, West Ham Persistent as he pressed from the front and caused some problems for the Liverpool back three. His endeavour led to nothing though and he was subbed after picking up a knock. 6 Getty

While Klopp is clearly happy to talk about the franchise, it is unlikely to crop up in a pre-match team talk.

He tried that in the past, only to draw blank looks from the majority of his squad at Borussia Dortmund.

"When I was much younger I tried to use the story of Rocky IV, with Ivan Drago and Rocky Balboa, in a meeting," he continued.

"After five minutes I realised none of my players had a clue what I was talking about so I had to start anew. Only two players knew the film."

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For Klopp, it was a light-hearted distraction from the serious business of preparing his side for one of their most important games of the year.

Klopp does not pretend the Merseyside derby was a major date in his calendar as a child growing up in Germany but has become enamoured by the rich history of the city and the fixture.

And for a man who frequently stresses the need for perspective in sport, even he accepts the traffic around Merseyside might stop for a time on Monday evening.

"I cannot say Everton is my enemy since I was 12 years old, five years old, it's not like this," he said.

Goodison Park was at its most ferocious as Everton beat Arsenal on Tuesday (Getty)

"But I love how they live in this city, these two big clubs. Until now I've never had any issue with any Everton fans when I meet them, taxi drivers or whatever.

"A lot of nice people support Everton. So football is not the most important thing in the world but on Monday night I would say for 90 minutes in and around Liverpool it probably is.

"It is very, very, very, very, very big. It is a very important moment in the season for all of us."