Roy Hodgson admits it is unusual for his first Merseyside derby to be an early-season basement battle.
Reds boss knows Goodison Park clash will be passionate affair
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson admits it is unusual for his first Merseyside derby to be an early-season basement battle.
The Reds go into Sunday's 214th Merseyside derby third-bottom in the Premier League after seven games with Everton above them on goal difference having also stuttered.
It is Liverpool's worst start to a season since 1953-54 - when they were ultimately relegated.
But Hodgson believes that both teams are in false positions and expects normal service to be resumed soon after the Goodison Park clash.
"I am looking forward to it - it would've been nice if we could have been in a better position though," said Hodgson.
"I'm sure my colleague David [Moyes] would be saying the same thing.
"It's a bit unusual to see a derby with both teams down there but I'm pretty sure we'll see both teams in a better position for the next one.
Extra importance
"I suppose there is extra importance because both of us are desperately in need of points, but it would be nice if we could get them."
Hodgson has experienced the Milan derby as coach of Inter and the former Fulham boss admits there are few fixtures in world football that match up to the Merseyside rivalry.
"In terms of passion I think this derby stands up there with the best ones," he said.
"If you are talking about derbies which excite all the people within the city, then you have to think of the ones from Glasgow and Milan too.
"If you are talking about pure derbies, then Chelsea versus Fulham certainly doesn't compare to Liverpool and Everton - only Milan and Glasgow can do that."
Hodgson will not be the only one experiencing his first Merseyside derby, with new signings Joe Cole, Raul Meireles, Paul Konchesky, Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen all likely to feature.
Unknown
The Reds boss stresses that element of the unknown could play a factor and believes the team's poor start may be due to a transitional phase following Rafa Benitez's reign.
"On paper and verbally, you could say they know what to expect, but you can only really know what to expect when you have the experience," he said.
"Quite a few of our players are new - some are new to the country and not just the club - so it takes time for players to adjust to that.
"We are naive in our expectations sometimes. We sign a good player from abroad and then expect him to go and play like Steven Gerrard from the first moment. That doesn't happen.
"That's our situation at the moment. It's a new team and a new venture.
"Maybe we've expected too much from some of the people - they are still finding their feet. But they are good players so let's hope they have the ability and quality to deal with it."
