Joe Gomez not looking to 'chill' as Liverpool turn focus to FA Cup derby against Everton

Premier League leaders have had an extremely busy winter period so far and next face their city rivals

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Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has said the whole squad has a "real hunger" to play every game as the European champions prepare for a Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday.

The Reds may have endured an extremely busy winter so far but the Premier League leaders have not missed a beat. They have won their last 10 successive matches in all competitions, excluding the exclusively youth-team side who lost the League Cup quarter-final at Aston Villa, which clashed with the Fifa Club World Cup.

They successfully negotiated the Christmas period without dropping a point to maintain a 13-point cushion at the top of the Premier League, but after a taxing run of fixtures, manager Jurgen Klopp will be aware of the need to give tired legs a rest in the FA Cup.

But it could be he has to field a number of those players again at the weekend as he is low on numbers - particularly in terms of senior centre-backs.

Klopp recalled Nat Phillips from a loan spell with Stuttgart just to play against Everton but he will probably need a senior partner and that means either Virgil Van Dijk or Gomez.

"I think if you asked everyone in the dressing room they all have that desire to play every game and I think that is what is important for us in this team," said Gomez, who played in the 2018 FA Cup third-round victory over Everton at Anfield.

"There is a real hunger and you feel it. There is no, 'Oh I want to play this game and chill that one'. I think that shows and that is why when everyone comes in, the lads are playing well. They are really participating and helping the team.

"For me, I love every derby and it is a special game, every time. Regardless of whether it is a Premier League game or not, we go into it looking to win and I think that is self-explanatory.

"That is something that we look forward to and whatever will be will be. Everyone wants to play. There is no telling what the gaffer will do but we are used to the quick turnaround now.

"At the same time, we want to win things, and it is the Merseyside derby and we never want to lose that."

Klopp's senior side have won 28 of their 32 matches this season, but Everton will arrive with arguably their best chance of ending a winless streak at Anfield that dates back to 1999 for two reasons: Klopp's desire to rest players for the Premier League and Champions League, and Everton's new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian is the only manager to beat a full-strength Liverpool team in normal time this season as his Napoli side won in Naples and also secured a point at Anfield in November.

Gomez is aware of the threat to their proud record against their near neighbours.

"I think you have that in mind whenever a team changes their gaffer," he said. "You look the other day with West Ham [who won after reappointing David Moyes], there is that instant spark and we have to be ready for that.

"I don't think we go into any game underestimating anyone but we know that they will be up for it. They have got a top manager and we have to be ready for that. They have good individuals and top players and they are a threat. We know that."

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Liverpool's invincibles: an incredible year without a Premier League defeat – in pictures

July 26, 2020, Newcastle 1 Liverpool 3: Liverpool players celebrate during the last game of the season. Reuters

July 22, 2020, Liverpool 5 Chelsea 3: Naby Keita celebrates scoring the first goal with Georginio Wijnaldum. Reuters

July 15, 2020, Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in action against Arsenal's Reiss Nelson. EPA

July 11, 2020, Liverpool 1 Burnley 1: Manager Jurgen Klopp reacts as Liverpool lose their 10-0 per cent home record. AFP

July 8, 2020, Brighton 1 Liverpool 3: Mohamed Salah and teammate Sadio Mane in action against Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and Dan Burn. EPA

July 5, 2020, Liverpool 2 Aston Villa 0: Curtis Jones celebrates scoring his team's second goal. AFP

July 2, 2020, Manchester City 4 Liverpool 0: Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates with Kevin De Bruyne on a bad night for Liverpool. EPA

June 24, 2020, Liverpool 4 Crystal Palace 0: Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the final goal. EPA

June 21, 2020, Everton 0 Liverpool 0: Jordan Henderson speaks to his manager Jurgen Klopp after the Mersey derby stalemate, the first game post lockdown. EPA

March 7, 2020, Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 1: James Milner celebrates after a win that takes the club even closer to the Premier League trophy - before the season came to a three-month halt. Reuters

February 29, 2020, Watford 3 Liverpool 0: A shock defeat; Jurgen Klopp, defender Andrew Robertson and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the final whistle. AFP

Ferbruary 24, 2020, Liverpool 3 West Ham 2: Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the late winner after Liverpool came from 2-1 behind. EPA

February 15, 2020, Norwich City 0 Liverpool 1: Sadio Mane scores the only goal to take Liverpool 25 points clear. Reuters

February 01, 2020, Liverpool 4 Southampton 0: Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the third. Reuters

January 29, 2020, West Ham 0 Liverpool 2: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is delighted after netting the second goal. Reuters

January 23, 2020, Wolves 1 Liverpool 2: Roberto Firmino (R) celebrates with Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk after scoring the second. AFP

January 19, 2020, Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0: Mohamed Salah celebrates after netting the second goal. Getty

January 11, 2020, Tottenham 0 Liverpool 1: Roberto Firmino celebrates with Xherdan Shaqiri. Reuters

January 2, 2020, Liverpool 2 Sheffield United 0: Sadio Mane, left, celebrates after scoring his team's second goal at Anfield. Reuters

December 29, 2019, Liverpool 1 Wolves 0: Jurgen Klopp and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of another win at Anfield. Getty

December 26, 2019, Leicester 0 Liverpool 4: James Milner celebrates after scoring the second goal with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum at The King Power Stadium. Getty

December 14, 2019, Liverpool 2 Watford 0: Trent Alexander-Arnold takes a corner. Getty

December 7, 2019, Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 3: Naby Keita nets the second goal at Vitality Stadium. Getty

December 4, 2019, Liverpool 5 Everton 2: Sadio Mane scores the fourth goal in the Mersey derby. Getty

November 30, 2019, Liverpool 2 Brighton 1: Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the second goal at Anfield. Getty

November 23, 2019, Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 2: Roberto Firmino scores his team's second goal at Selhurst Park. Getty

November 10, 2019, Liverpool 3 Manchester City 1: Mohamed Salah celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal at Anfield. Getty

November 2, 2019, Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 2: Divock Origi watches a Sadio Mane shot cross the line for the second goal. Getty

October 27, 2019, Liverpool 2 Tottenham 1: Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the second goal from a penalty. Getty

October 20, 2019, Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1: Adam Lallana celebrates after scoring at Old Trafford. Getty

October 5, 2019, Liverpool 2 Leicester 1: James Milner celebrates with Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi and Andy Robertson after scoring the second goal from the penalty spot. Getty

September 28, 2019, Sheffild United 0 Liverpool 1: Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring at Bramall Lane. PA

September 22, 2019, Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2: Roberto Firmino celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal at Stamford Bridge. Getty

September 14, 2019, Liverpool 3 Newcastle 1: Sadio Mane scores the first goal past Martin Dubravka. Getty

Ausgust 31, 2019, Burnley 0 Liverpool 3: Sadio Mane is tackled by Jack Cork at Turf Moor. Getty

August 24, 2019, Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1: Joel Matip celebrates in front of the Kop after scoring the opening goal. Getty

August 17, 2019, Southampton 1 Liverpool 2: Adrian saves a shot from Jannik Vestergaard at St Mary's Stadium. Getty

August 9, 2019, Liverpool 4 Norwich 1: Mohamed Salah scores the second goal on the opening day of the season at Anfield. Getty