Liverpool v Everton: Steven Gerrard aims for big Jamie Carragher send-off in defender's final Merseyside derby

The sides meet at Anfield on Sunday

After ending his Liverpool career on Sunday, Carragher will become a Sky pundit (Getty Images)

The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, wants to give his retiring team-mate Jamie Carragher a final Merseyside derby to remember this weekend.

The veteran centre-back will finish his playing career at the end of this season after playing for the club since 1996, spanning his entire career. He is set to take up a role as a pundit with Sky Sports.

Everton have not won at Anfield since 1999 and victory on Sunday would result in them finishing higher in the table than Liverpool for the second successive season – something which has not happened since Liverpool were promoted back to the top flight in 1962.

"I think being a local lad we feel the passion in the city," Gerrard said. "Jamie will be playing at the weekend, he will be one of the first on the team sheet and has been brilliant since he came back into the team. We're hoping to get a nice derby victory for 'Carra' to remember, because you will always remember your last derby."

Carragher's departure will be deeply felt. "I'm going to miss him more than anyone. I'm close to Jamie on and off the pitch," said the England captain. "It's an emotional time, him packing it in, but he is going on to Sky and I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job."

Liverpool head into the derby trailing sixth-placed Everton by five points with three matches remaining. Despite the progess of the side under Brendan Rodgers, the former Anfield striker Ian Rush believes the manager will ultimately have to be judged on the trophies he wins.

"Liverpool have high standards. That is what you must be judged by," said the club's record goalscorer. "Those standards were set by Bill Shankly in the 1970s and Bob Paisley took them on. It is a difficult level to attain but those are the standards.

"Why shouldn't that be the judgement? No one is saying he has to get there straight away, that he immediately must start winning the Premier League or the Champions League.

"But that has to be the aim. The key is to maintain improvement. If you can do that every year eventually you will get there. I do believe they are going the right way towards doing that and they are playing good football."