What optimism Everton bring into the 213th Merseyside derby is tempered by the knowledge they have not won at Anfield in 11 years, a miserable sequence that owes plenty to indiscipline. Eight red cards have been issued in the last 10 rounds of England’s most contested derby – with Liverpool receiving only two – and Rafael Benítez has again stressed the need for heart and brains as his side embark on a demanding run that could have a major influence on their Champions League credentials. Liverpool and Everton, unbeaten in six and nine league games respectively, need no reminder of the game’s importance. Andy Hunter

Venue Anfield

Tickets Sold out

Last season Liverpool 1 Everton 1

Referee M Atkinson

This season’s matches 19 Y78, R0, 4.11 cards per game

Odds Liverpool 9-10 Everton 15-4 Draw 5-2

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Aurélio, Degen, Ngog, Babel, Darby, Agger, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, Kelly, El Zhar

Doubtful Aurélio (calf), Degen (calf)

Injured Benayoun (rib, 27 Feb), Johnson (knee, 27 Feb), Torres (knee, 27 Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide WDWDWW

Disciplinary record Y32 R4

Leading scorer Torres 12

Everton

Subs from Nash, Arteta, Rodwell, Senderos, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Anichebe, Yobo, Yakubu, Duffy, Mustafi, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace

Doubtful Arteta (groin), Yobo (hamstring)

Injured Gosling (hamstring, 20 Feb), Hibbert (hernia, 20 Feb), Jagileka (knee, Mar)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWDWD

Disciplinary record Y34 R1

Leading scorer Saha 11

Match pointers

• There have been more red cards in this fixture (17) than any other in Premier League history

• Everton have not won a league match at Anfield since September 1999, although they have drawn six of their 10 visits since

• Liverpool have scored twice in seven of their last eight home league matches

• Everton’s clean sheet at Wigan in their last game was their first in seven matches away from home

• Liverpool have scored 1,111 goals in the Premier League

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