Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp might take the emotion out of this weekend's Premier League Merseyside derby.
The Reds will welcome the Toffees to Anfield on Sunday. Liverpool are right in the mix for the title.
Jurgen Klopp's side are two points clear at the top of the table. However, second-placed Manchester City do have a game in hand.
The Reds are also in contention for the Champions League and FA Cup. So, Liverpool have plenty of games coming up.
With that being the case, Carragher could see Klopp resting a few players against Everton on the weekend despite the history surrounding the fixture.
“I think Jurgen Klopp might take the emotion out of it,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “He does have to be brave, from now until the end of the season.
“He can’t play the same eight or nine players every game. I think he may look at that game and say ‘I might need to be brave in this game’ and say ‘this is a team that are fourth or fifth from bottom.'
“If we were playing Leeds or Brentford, then I would make five or six changes.
“So, the actual nine he has that are set in stone. Nine or ten. I think we could see a game where there’s maybe (Kostas) Tsimikas comes in. (Roberto) Firmino and (Diogo) Jota play. Maybe Curtis Jones plays because I don’t think he would do that in the two semi-finals.”
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Anfield Watch Verdict
We do agree with Carragher's opinion. We don't want to see the best XI players at the club burn out before the season ends.
Liverpool possess a number of quality options in attack, midfield and defence. Therefore, it would make sense for Klopp to rest a few footballers against a struggling Everton team on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see which side the German selects.