Brendan Rodgers promises ‘totally different’ Liverpool for derby

Brendan Rodgers has warned Everton manager Roberto Martinez to expect a “totally different” Liverpool in next week’s Merseyside derby to the one that faltered against Aston Villa.

The Reds were left trailing Villa by two goals after a brilliant opening 35-minute display by the visitors at Anfield, before Daniel Sturridge’s deft finish and Steven Gerrard’s penalty salvaged a 2-2 draw.

It will be a totally different game here for the derby

Brendan Rodgers

Everton failed to seize their chance to hoist themselves above the Reds and into fourth place after being held to a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.

The Toffees trail fourth-placed Liverpool by a point ahead of next Tuesday’s derby, and Rodgers expects the Reds to be much-improved against their bitter local rivals.

“He will know how I work and knows how my teams work. But he will know it will be a totally different game here for the derby,” Rodgers said.

“It wasn’t one of our better days (against Villa), but we’ve had many great games here.”

Speaking to the Daily Post, Rodgers added: “We’ll be ready for the derby game for sure.”