'Fans have a bigger say' in Merseyside derby

Sean Dyche feels Merseyside derbies are a "game for the people" while former player Alex Iwobi thinks there is something "different" about them.

In interviews recorded earlier this year shortly after Dyche's arrival for the Everton: Nothing Will Be The Same podcast, they reflected on the game both sides look for when the fixture list comes out.

"I know about the games between Everton and Liverpool down the years, I know the history of it, the feel of it, of course it's bound to feel different for me really - it's a game for the people I've always said that about derbies," said the Toffees boss before his first one in February.

"I know the history of it from an outside view, but I haven't experienced it. I haven't grown up here, I don't feel it like they do so for me it's a game for the people and it's our job to give them a performance and we want to win."

Former midfielder Iwobi - who has also experienced the north London derby - talked about the impact of fans on these matches.

"It is definitely different to when I was at Arsenal with the Arsenal and Tottenham derby because I feel like the fans are way more involved," said the 27-year-old.

"I don't know what it is but it feels like the fans have a bigger say or something. Especially when we're going to Anfield, at Anfield it feels like the fans are on top of us so it's quite intimidating, but all the players are up for it and it gives us a bigger motivation to silence the noise and silence the crowd.

"It's never easy, derbies are never easy, it doesn't matter where you are in the league or about form it's just about who wants it more at the end of the day."

Listen to the full Derby Days episode from the series on BBC Sounds

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