Big Derby – Liverpool vs Everton: Preview

Saturday lunchtime sees the pride of Merseyside on the line as Everton make the short trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

The Reds have got their campaign for a top-four finish back on track in recent weeks, but their revival will face a major test from a Toffees side that have risen into the top half of the table in recent weeks.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was content to allow transfer deadline day to pass without any major moves, with his side having won four and drawn two of their last six Premier League games.

That run has brought the Reds back into contention for a Champions League spot and reignited speculation linking Benitez with a move to Juventus in the summer.

However, the Spaniard remains committed to the Anfield cause and said after the 2-0 win over Bolton last time out: “I am really happy because we’re six games unbeaten and have more clean sheets – very good.

“We are improving. You can see the team is working very hard and hopefully we can keep up the momentum.”

Liverpool’s upturn in form has come despite Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson (both knee) and Yossi Benayoun (rib) being sidelined at present.

While the Reds are unbeaten in six league games, Everton are on a nine-game unbeaten run, with their last defeat being a 2-0 home reverse to Liverpool in the first derby of the season in late November.

Since then David Moyes’ men have banished fears of a possible relegation battle and are now eyeing European football for next season.

They have won their last three games without conceding a goal, while Moyes will take charge of his 600th game as a manager this weekend, cautious over his team’s prospects.

He said after the 1-0 win at Wigan: “We’ll wait and see where it goes, but who knows? We can’t be aiming too high too soon.

“We’ll wait and see how we go over the coming months and we have a tough month to come.”

Moyes will be without defenders Tony Hibbert, Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka, as well as midfielder Mikel Arteta.

—sportbox