The Merseyside rivalry has been relegated behind that of Manchester in recent times, but the red and blue halves of Liverpool are still burning with desire to overcome their neighbours and will have the chance to do so live on ESPN 2 at 07.45 ET on Saturday.

Everton lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their last Premier League game and the gulf in quality was obvious. This time another 2-0 scoreline looks in the offing as it has finished that way at Goodison Park in each of the last three seasons, but it may not go the way of the Toffees. Traditionally slow starters, they have yet to get going and are still struggling with the monetary concerns that saw them forced to sell prized asset Mikel Arteta to Arsenal on the last day of the transfer window, adding to the traditional problems with squad depth.

The emergence of young Ross Barkley has at least given Everton fans something to cheer about, but manager David Moyes looks a man under pressure and will not be buoyed by the fact that his club have won just one of the last nine Merseyside derbies in the Premier League.

Liverpool's side is much changed from the last time they were involved in a game against their neighbours. With Luis Suarez continuing his impressive form of last season, he finds himself ready for his first derby alongside a few others. Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Stewart Downing are all primed to start, while talisman Steven Gerrard is also pushing for inclusion after recent injury.

Two bad away days against Stoke and Tottenham saw the Reds slump to back-to-back defeats before they arrested the slide with a win over Wolves. It has been - when you consider the context of last season and the absence of Gerrard - a good start under Kenny Dalglish, but the old insecurities are still there. The Reds have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League away matches, while they have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven.

Everton will be a tough nut to crack as they have only lost one of their last 14 games at Goodison Park, but Liverpool's attacking machine looks ready to click into gear and, if they are able to quell the red mist, Dalglish should take the derby spoils.

Everton player to watch: Seamus Coleman. A revelation at the end of last season, Coleman's runs and endless stamina have marked him out as one of Everton's top players. Having suffered what looked a serious ankle injury in pre-season, he returned within a matter of weeks to slot back into the midfield and has not looked back. Coleman was playing at Irish side Sligo Rovers only three years ago and his rise has been meteoric. With quality opposition running at him, he will be important at both ends of the pitch as his versatility has proved to be invaluable to the Toffees.

Liverpool player to watch: Andy Carroll. By his own high standards, Carroll has not hit the ground running since arriving at Liverpool for £35 million in January. He has only two goals to his name at Anfield, neither of which came this season, and has looked short of confidence and pace despite returning to full fitness. At his best, the England striker is a powerful, destructive force who can bully his opponents and poses a great aerial threat; he couldn't pick a better time than the derby to return to his former self.

Key Battle: Jack Rodwell v Lucas. The defensive midfield battle finds two players who have been criticised for not living up to their potential. Young Englishman Rodwell has long been tipped for the top and, though he has struggled for fitness, he is now beginning to look like the player that many thought he would be. A class act in possession, he is also a decent tackler and can distribute well to launch Everton into an attack. He may find, though, that on more than one occasion he has Lucas to beat. The Brazilian has been derided by the Liverpool fans in the past, but is also starting to show his skills and is now one of the first names on the team-sheet for Dalglish as he looks to break up the opposition's moves. Whoever comes out on top will allow their side to attack with freedom.

Trivia: There have been 19 red cards in this fixture, more than any other in Premier League history, and ten of those have come in the last 13 meetings. Match referee Martin Atkinson, meanwhile, has given 14 red cards since the start of 2010-11 - more than any other official.

Stats: Tim Cahill has scored five goals in 11 appearances against Liverpool, while Dirk Kuyt has scored in his last three.


Match

Dis match go b cracker. It is a must watch 4 me!

This will be one massive snoozefest

Game on!!

All brawns. . . . . very little brains - more of a slugfest than a footie match  

Well, i can certainly see a pattern in the play - route 1 to Fellaini on 1 side, Carroll on the other

Tim Howard like efizi sha. . . . . . .na camou jersey the guy ju' for us oh

Can't these fellas just put the ball on the ground?
Rodwell sent off

How on earth was that a RED!!!?

That's a wrong call referee, Rodwell won the ball.

Wetin Howard say him wear like this

Roland17:

That's a wrong call referee, Rodwell won the ball.

total f*CUK up!

Atkinson just loves controversy, Ridiculous Call by d Ref!

@MUKINA. Kayfal umuur? Min ayna anti?

Penalty! Shocking call by the ref.
Aaargh! Howard saves.

EPL is a shame to the game. The refereeing is not up to par at all and the quality of football is such a shame

Another thing, How is Andy f***king Carroll worth Fucking 35m?

I have strong reasons to believe someone profitted underhand from the deal.

Its a scam, Has the potential to make Denilson to Betis and Torres to Chelsea seem like a bargain

dayokanu:

EPL is a shame to the game. The refereeing is not up to par at all and the quality of football is such a shame

Another thing, How is Andy f***king Carroll worth bleeping 35m?

I have strong reasons to believe someone profitted underhand from the deal.

Its a scam, Has the potential to make Denilson to Betis and Torres to Chelsea seem like a bargain

Has the potential ~ in the light of what we've seen so far from Carroll, they were massive BARGAINS!!!

^^When I see the guy and think thats $55m on there.

He looks more like a sack of potatoes

dayokanu:

EPL is a shame to the game. The refereeing is not up to par at all and the quality of football is such

we've seen worse in the UCL, esp Barca matches.

I like the way Howard is in constant communication with his defenders. . . . .where was that confidence and composure when he was at O.T

good goal by Carrol

Too bad, unfortunate mistake by everton to give suarez a goal, now the game is wrapped.

good match, they were lucky to have conceded only 2 goals, YNWA!

Another thing, How is Andy f***king Carroll worth bleeping 35m?
I have strong reasons to believe someone profitted underhand from the deal.
Its a scam, Has the potential to make Denilson to Betis and Torres to Chelsea seem like a bargain

dayokanu:

^^When I see the guy and think thats $55m on there.
He looks more like a sack of potatoes

we never walk alone

good goal by Carrol

sure enough the haters were disappointed.

never walk alone! a

liverpool are now getting it right