Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

Steven Gerrard will likely play in his last ever Merseyside derby when Liverpool visit Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Reds skipper made his 700th appearance for the club in the late 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in their FA Cup third-round replay in midweek, becoming just the third Liverpool player to reach that milestone after Ian Callaghan and Jamie Carragher.

Gerrard has been the hero for Liverpool in so many of those games, but this time it was the new breed of Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho who got the Reds out of jail with goals in the final six minutes.

Dates for the diary continue to be circled before Gerrard's summer departure to Los Angeles Galaxy and a final clash with Everton, barring a possible Europa League tie later this season, is a pretty significant one.

Brendan Rodgers has this week claimed that Toffees fans will be glad to see the back of Gerrard, who has netted 10 goals in 32 games against them to become the highest Merseyside derby scorer in the Premier League era.

Rodgers has been delicate with the 34-year-old's workload this season, but will surely not deny him one more crack at Liverpool's great rivals, despite him having completed 90 minutes at Anfield on Wednesday.

One player who may not be risked from the start is Daniel Sturridge, who made a goalscoring return from a five-month injury layoff as a substitute in the 2-0 win over West Ham United last weekend, a result which extended Liverpool's unbeaten run to seven games and took them seventh in the table.

The England striker continued his comeback with another cameo against former club Bolton, and Rodgers has suggested that he will again be involved from the bench at Goodison Park.

With Mario Balotelli firmly out of favour - he was not even included in the matchday squad against Wanderers - it will be Sterling leading the line again with support from Gerrard and the red-hot Coutinho, who signed a new long-term contract at the club this week.

Rodgers could make three changes to the cup side, bringing rested midfielders Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva back at the expense of Joe Allen and Adam Lallana.

To combat the attacking threat of Leighton Baines down the left side, Rodgers may also recall Glen Johnson in the wing-back role which has been competently filled by the less defensive Lazar Markovic in recent weeks.

Roberto Martinez has yet to taste victory in three Merseyside derbies as Everton manager, and was also on an eight-game winless run against all opposition before the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace this past Saturday.

The Spaniard injected some energy into his squad with the deadline-day capture of Aaron Lennon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and also has James McCarthy nearing fitness again after a hamstring problem.

However, Martinez may only make one change from the side which beat the Eagles, restoring Ross Barkley - tipped to match Gerrard's legacy on the other side of the park - in place of Aiden McGeady in midfield.

First-choice goalkeeper Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar are still out injured, while Christian Atsu has helped Ghana reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations and remains unavailable.

Everton are currently 12 points behind their neighbours in the table - the biggest gap at this stage of the season since the 2008-09 campaign.

Everton:

Form in Premier League: LLLDDW Form in all competitions: LDDDDW

Possible starting lineup: Robles; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Besic, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

Liverpool:

Form in Premier League: WWDWWW Form in all competitions: WDDDWW

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Johnson, Henderson, Lucas, Moreno; Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling

Sports Mole says: 1-2