Jordan Pickford is dreaming of continental nights at Goodison Park, setting his sights on a 'European tour' for Everton next season. The ambition adds a thrilling layer to this weekend's high-stakes Merseyside Derby against Liverpool at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

With both rivals locked in a fierce battle for European qualification, Sunday's clash is more than just local pride. David Moyes's side currently sits 8th, level on points with 7th-place Brentford. A top-seven finish would secure a coveted spot in Europe, a target the manager laid out for his squad from the very beginning of the campaign.

Pickford, one of the few remaining players from Everton's last European adventure in the 2017-18 Europa League, is desperate to bring that experience back to the fans. "The manager’s aim in pre-season was to get Everton back in Europe and that’s still our aim," the goalkeeper stated. "We’ve got six big games to go... It’ll be a massive game. We’re taking each game as it comes and hopefully, we’ll get the Toffees on a European tour."

A victory this weekend wouldn't just be a monumental derby win; it could close the gap to the Champions League places to just three points, supercharging Everton's push for a glorious season finale. The stage is set for a classic.