And in 2017-18, after a shock FA Cup defeat by West Bromwich Albion, they lost only three games on their way to finishing third in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Real Madrid.

They are clear favourites to continue their run on Sunday in a game that pitches the team with the best home record against the side with the worst away record.

Klopp seems genuine in his wish for their rivals from across Stanley Park to beat the drop, if only so they can continue the derby games next season, and he speaks admiringly of Everton manager Frank Lampard. But he is unsure whether having had a stellar career as a player is an advantage as a manager.

Klopp was a journeyman defender with Mainz in Germany and other top managers, such as Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho, had playing careers with lower league clubs, whereas Lampard won 100 England caps and every trophy available at Chelsea.

“As a player I never had a manager with a world-class playing career so I don’t know how I would have felt,” he said. “And I obviously I didn’t have a world-class career as a player so I have never had that situation [as a manager] either. I thought Frank did a brilliant job at Derby and I really liked what he did at Chelsea.

“But the way Chelsea played [under Lampard] I thought you could really see what they wanted and at Derby it was obviously really good for a first job.

“Everton is something completely different – it is a different situation when you are fighting for staying in the league.

“Unfortunately I had this situation very often in my life as well [at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund] so it is not the coolest moment but it is very satisfying as well when you get the points in. And they have done that by winning and drawing their last two games. They will go for it in the derby.”