Today is the 202nd Merseyside derby and Everton manager David Moyes has challenged his players to prove their worth. Everton have lost their last two games 4-0 and are hovering just above the relegation zone in what has proved a disappointing season which began with their Champions League exit at the group qualifying stage. They were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Uefa Cup by Dinamo Bucharesti as they lost their first eight Premiership matches.

The Reds are on the warpath, bidding for a ninth successive League win, and fourth on the road. They have double as many points as Everton (34 to 17) while being the busiest of all Premiership clubs. This will be their 33rd game of the season - Everton's 24th. The Reds have not dropped a point since the 2-0 loss, away to Fulham on 22 October. It was also in that game they last conceded a League goal.