Slot hopes European exit will help Liverpool league form

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"I don't see it as a positive thing we are out but it is the reality and we have a bit more training time now." The first of those six games comes on Sunday against derby rivals Everton, with Liverpool making a first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. "It is always a very special game, doesn't matter if it is the 60th being played in the stadium, but, if it is the last one being played in a stadium or a first one, it makes it even more special, if that's even possible," said Slot.

It will always be a very special game for them, but also for us." Slot's first visit to Everton last season saw a blockbuster encounter in the final derby at Goodison Park, with James Tarkowski equalising eight minutes into stoppage time. "The crowd didn't affect me last season, the referee's decisions affected me," said Slot when asked whether he expected the atmosphere to be different in Everton's new home.

"Last season was my first Merseyside derby in that stadium so, if we played in the same stadium, I would probably know what to expect. But I don't think a stadium is loud, it is usually fans that are loud.