Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has spoken of his excitement at the prospect of his first Merseyside derby.
Liverpool take on Everton on Monday night, with the Reds needing a win to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea, who are currently nine points clear at the top of the table.
The Netherlands international is no stranger to the heated nature of derbies, having featured in fiery Tyne-Wear encounters for Newcastle United last season.
Speaking toLiverpool's official club website, Wijnaldum revealed he is looking forward to playing at Goodison Park and dealing with Everton's fans.
When asked how he plans to deal with the Toffees' fans jibes, the 26-year-old stated: "You must enjoy it.
"Enjoy the rivalry, enjoy the fans from Everton booing you, that's the best way. It will make you give your best and try even harder to win the game.
"When I played my first game with Liverpool at Anfield, we were driving to the stadium and I was new here so I didn't know a lot of the city," he added.
"But when we drove up I looked outside the bus and saw a stadium and thought, ˜That's not our stadium', but then I realised it was Everton's. And then I looked on the other side and could see Anfield. I never realised it was so close!"
ï’¬ @GWijnaldum on thriving under pressure! #EVELIV pic.twitter.com/6aJy6m1srn
Wijnaldum also believes the locality of the rivalry makes for a fiercer rivalry, claiming it is more likely bigger than Newcastle's derby with Sunderland.
"When I joined Liverpool, [the derby] was not my first thought. But when you're here you realise that Everton is also in this city, and it is a big game," Wijnaldum added.
"I can imagine this is bigger [than Newcastle v Sunderland] because it's the same city."