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Steven Gerrard says 'bring it on' as he prepares for 33rd and final Merseyside derby

Liverpool captain has a great record against the Toffees with 17 wins in 32

Friday 06 February 2015 11:24 GMT

(WhoScored.com)

Steven Gerrard will play in his final Merseyside derby on Saturday evening.

The Liverpool captain, who departs for Los Angeles in the summer, has faced Everton 32 times previously in his stellar career and, to the chagrin of Toffees fans, has more often than not been on the winning side.

Starting with a 3-2 win in April 1999 where he played 20 minutes as a substitute, Gerrard has won a massive 17 of those 32 matches, drawing 10 and losing only five. The majority have come in the Premier League, but there was also the FA Cup semi-final win in 2012.

Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

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1/11Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

GK: Simon Mignolet

This isn’t exactly a vintage tie for goalkeepers with the Belgian struggling this season, though he has been much improved in recent weeks. Tim Howard, out through injury, would run him close despite a poor season of his own, while Joel Robles is a weak link for the Toffees.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

DEF: Seamus Coleman

This position was one of the hardest to choose because it pitted an out-and-out full-back against Liverpool’s third centre-back. Emre Can is very talented and looks to have a great future ahead of him, in defence and midfield, but he is a potential weak link in the defence while Coleman remains one of the better right-backs in the division – even if he exposes his centre-backs a little bit too often.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

DEF: John Stones

The demise of Sylvain Distin has been sad to see but Stones has all the tools to be a top-class defender in the future, for club and country. He is a little over-confident in possession sometimes and can get caught on the ball. Mamadou Sakho has all the physical tools to succeed in the Premier League but is too prone to lapses in concentration.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

DEF: Martin Skrtel

Phil Jagielka’s poor form is one of the biggest reasons Everton have slipped so far this season, the England man was a rock last year but has really struggled this term. Skrtel has his critics – he’s slow and not the most comfortable on the ball – but he is a solid defender.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

DEF: Leighton Baines

The England left-back is probably Everton’s biggest attacking threat, with great set-piece delivery and an unbridled willingness to get forward. Defensively he is suspect, however, but his eight assists push him past the improving Alberto Moreno.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

MID: Lucas

The Brazilian holding midfielder is not quite back to his very, very best, but he is close. Lucas has been pivotal in Liverpool’s return to form, providing the perfect screen for the defence and allowing their other players to push forward without hesitation. Besic has improved as the season has gone on – and out-performed Gareth Barry - but is not quite up to Lucas’ level.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

MID: Steven Gerrard

In the battle of the geriatric former England midfielders, Gerrard edges past Barry. Back when these teams met in September Barry would have been picked but he has regressed hugely this season after his brilliant loan spell last year. Gerrard was suffering at the start of the season but has improved since being pushed slightly further forward by Rodgers.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

MID: Jordan Henderson

Another anomaly sees central midfielder/jack of all trades Jordan Henderson face-off with out-and-out winger Kevin Mirallas. Lazar Markovic might have battled Mirallas but he has been ruled out of the game. The Belgian Mirallas has been seemingly trying to find a way out of Goodison Park in the last month and needs to show the form and goals to match his clear talent. Jordan Henderson is one of Liverpool’s most important players, providing drive and energy from midfield, as well as filling in as a wing-back when needed.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

FW: Philippe Coutinho

Since suffering the injury that kept him out of the World Cup in the summer, Ross Barkley has unfortunately not been the same player. Where he scored six goals last season he has just one so far this term. Coutinho can drift in and out of games but has undoubtable match-winning talent; as shown by the fantastic goal he scored against Bolton in midweek.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

FW: Raheem Sterling

In Daniel Sturridge’s absence Sterling, still only 20, became Liverpool’s most important player. He has six goals in his last 11 in all competitions and provides a direct, lightning fast threat that defenders hate to deal with. Steven Naismith is an important player for Roberto Martinez, and can be a match-winner, but even the most blue-nosed Everton fan would gladly swap him for Sterling.

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Everton vs Liverpool combined XI

FW: Romelu Lukaku

Picking the Belgian ahead of the England striker was easily the hardest decision to make and could go either way. Lukaku has not played like the £28m striker Everton thought they were getting in the summer, with just 10 goals in 31 matches so far this season. But Daniel Sturridge, as good as he has looked on his return, has played just 50 minutes of football since his return. Lukaku needs to live up to his hefty price-tag if Everton are to win this game and improve during the rest of the season.

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"It's the fixture that I look for at the beginning of the season," Gerrard told the Liverpool club website. "I love playing against Everton. I've got friends and family members who are big Blues and it's all about the bragging rights in the city.

"I'll focus on [Saturday's game] exactly how I have done in the previous derbies I've played in. It's a bit different from a normal league game, but I'm looking forward to that one and hopefully I can add to my good derby record."

Gerrard celebrates scoring in the 4-0 win at Anfield last season (Getty Images)

Gerrard has also scored 10 goals in those matches, including a brilliant hat-trick in 2012 where he became the first Liverpool player to score a Merseyside derby treble at Anfield since Fred Howe in 1935; Ian Rush is the only Liverpool player to have scored more derby goals.

I'd look back on the game I scored a hat-trick in," said Gerrard on his favourite meeting between the two sides. "Personally, that was a great feeling after all the stick I've had over the years. But it's about the team and big derby wins.

"Also the FA Cup semi-final [in 2012], where we beat them at Wembley was a big one because I think there was a big confidence in the blue camp that they were going to beat us on the day and we managed to get that important win."

Gerrard holds the match ball after his hat-trick in March 2012 (GETTY IMAGES)

Gerrard, who has also been sent off twice in the fixture, says he doesn't mind the likely abuse he is going to get at Goodison Park.

"I love the banter with Everton fans,"said the former England captain. "It's what it's all about. It's about rivalries and big games of football.

"I'm up for all that. I don't mind it at all. Bring it on as far as I'm concerned. I've got respect for all the Everton players and the Everton fans. I think they're a terrific football club, but once that whistle goes I want to beat them. That's a good problem for me."

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