Sunday's Merseyside derby will be the first for many years where at least one of the sides does not find themselves in the top six.  Liverpool's exit from the Champions League during the week has meant that a top four finish is an absolute must for the Reds.  Meanwhile, Everton's poor start to the season has perhaps been overshadowed only due to the problems of their cross-city rivals.  However, Toffees manager David Moyes will be desperately disappointed that his side, so accustomed to gracing the top six of the Premier League is currently languishing in fourteenth place. 

Victory in the season's first Merseyside derby would be a significant boost for either side.  The stage is set for a very competitive and tense match on Sunday. 

Liverpool go into the match, still plagued by injuries – A factor while has arguably kept manager Rafa Benitez in his job.  Star striker Fernando Torres looks set to miss out, as he has still not fully recovered from the injury which has kept him sidelined for the past couple of weeks. David Ngog will probably lead the attack, the French youngster having netted four times this season.   Albert Riera and Ryan Babel are reported injury concerns, placing yet more responsibility on captain marvel Steven Gerrard.  

For Everton, Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov returns from a three-match suspension having been sent off against Aston Villa last month. He has made a promising start to his Goodison Park career, scoring two goals in five matches.   Marouane Fellaini also returns to the Everton midfield following a one match ban.  However, captain Phil Neville who would no doubt have relished a tussle against Liverpool, continues to miss out following surgery on a troublesome knee. Steven Pienaar is an outside bet to make an appearance having returned to training after two months on the sidelines. The Toffees appear to be in a stronger position than in previous weeks as more of the squad becomes available for this crucial encounter.

Under Benitez, Liverpool have had a tendency to bounce back from the depths of defeat – Victory over Manchester United a few weeks ago was the latest evidence of this.  However, they will need all their powers of recovery and tenacity to defeat their bitter rivals, also smarting from a midweek defeat at the hands of Hull City.