Q&A: Lampard on Merseyside derby, relegation battle and Dele Alli

Ahead of the 240th Merseyside derby and his first as manager, Everton boss Frank Lampard sat down with Sky Sports' Patrick Davison to discuss facing fierce rivals Liverpool, the battle to avoid relegation, and what the future holds for Dele Alli. PD: Frank, thanks for your time. What are you expecting from your first Merseyside derby?

Lampard: "I'm really excited. It's the beauty of the game that we're fortunate enough to work in. I played a long time in London derbies and Liverpool-Chelsea games were ding-dongs back in the day, but the Merseyside derby was always a game you would have your eye on from the outside and even as a London lad would have an understanding of the rivalry.

"To be a part of it is an amazing thing and it's a hugely important game for both of us, for different reasons. We're going up against one of the best teams in the world, we have to go in there with a real idea and sense of what it means to our fans as a baseline, and then what it means to us in terms of points. It's a big challenge for us but we have to be ready for that fight."

Lampard: "At the training ground we have a lot of Evertonians who work here, the club's in their blood. So since taking the job I've got a real understanding of the city, an understanding of Evertonians all over the world. The history and size of this club was something I was aware of, but when you live it you find it even more, so I get what this means to the fans, to families, Reds and Blues together, friends down the pub, all those things and we have to understand that. We're the fortunate ones who can have an effect on it and make their weekend, their Sunday evening better.

"I remember coming to Liverpool as a Chelsea player. It's a city you would fly up to, come