Arne Slot wants smart aggression from his Liverpool players in Merseyside derby

Arne Slot wants Liverpool to be "aggressive in a smart way" in the Merseyside derby as he feels his side receive more yellow cards than they deserve.

The Reds boss will be without midfielder Alexis Mac Allister against Everton in the lunch-time kick-off on Saturday as he serves a one-match ban after his fifth booking of the season in Wednesday's draw at Newcastle.

Ryan Gravenberch is also only one caution away from being suspended and, in the heat of what is likely to be the final derby at Goodison Park, barring an FA Cup meeting, Slot is aware tensions can sometimes boil over.

"You need to be aggressive if you go over there because they will be aggressive as well but you need to be aggressive in a smart way," said Slot.

"Last season we were very aggressive when we went there, because I watched the game back yesterday, but after half an hour I was a bit surprised because Liverpool had the ball most of the time and there were 10 fouls made by Liverpool players and only one by an Everton player.

"So we have to be aggressive but in a smart way, especially because they are a big threat from set-pieces. So every time we give away an unnecessary free-kick that is not smart.

"The downside to it is these players hardly make any fouls. Ryan is also one card away from being suspended so that’s something for us to be aware of.

"How that is possible because we hardly make any fouls?

"The good thing for us is we have the main four midfielders that have played, Dom (Szoboszlai), Ryan, Curtis (Jones) and Macca, and there are still three left and Harvey Elliott is on his way back."

Everton ended a run of four games without a goal with four against Wolves in midweek, all from set-pieces.

Slot knows that is an area where his players will have to be