Jurgen Klopp takes the Rocky road to Goodison Park

Jurgen Klopp has never been to Goodison Park before but the Liverpool manager is dreaming of landing a knockout blow in the Merseyside derby after a late-night viewing of the latest Rocky film.Klopp was already looking forward to Monday's trip across Stanley Park when some late-night channel-hopping drew him to last year's Rocky reboot 'Creed'.In the film Sylvester Stallone's latest protege takes on a character played by WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew and the climactic fight takes place at Everton's home ground. Bellew - a staunch Toffees supporter in real life and on screen - wins the bout but that did not ruin Klopp's enjoyment, or his vicarious experience of the stadium. "Last night when I watched Creed that was my first impression of Goodison Park," said the Reds boss, who would be happy to go the distance with Everton provided the Reds win on points."When I came home I had nothing to do so I decided to watch a film, I found Creed and it was really good but I had no idea Goodison played a part."There are not a lot of coincidences in life but this was my first impression. It looked good. "The favourite (Bellew's character) was from Liverpool but I have a little bit of sympathy with the other guy."Rocky is a wonderful story, I've loved it my whole life. Maybe some time I will go to the steps in Philadelphia, but not this week." While Klopp is clearly happy to talk about the franchise, it is unlikely to crop up in a pre-match team talk.He tried that in the past, only to draw blank looks from the majority of his squad at Borussia Dortmund."When I was much younger I tried to use the story of Rocky IV, with Ivan Drago and Rocky Balboa, in a meeting," he continued."After five minutes I realised none of my players had a clue what I was talking about so I had to start anew. Only two players knew the film."For Klopp, it was a light-hearted distraction from the serious business of preparing his side for one of their most important games of the year.Klopp does not pretend the Merseyside derby was a major date in his calendar as a child growing up in Germany but has become enamoured by the rich history of the city and the fixture.And for a man who frequently stresses the need for perspective in sport, even he accepts the traffic around Merseyside might stop for a time on Monday evening."I cannot say Everton is my enemy since I was 12 years old, five years old, it's not like this," he said."But I love how they live in this city, these two big clubs. Until now I've never had any issue with any Everton fans when I meet them, taxi drivers or whatever."A lot of nice people support Everton. So football is not the most important thing in the world but on Monday night I would say for 90 minutes in and around Liverpool it probably is."It is very, very, very, very, very big. It is a very important moment in the season for all of us."

Source: PA