Today's 159th Merseyside derby has not unreasonably been billed as a battle between Everton's Duncan Ferguson and a Liverpool defence that cannot handle aerial attacks. Recent history is certainly against Liverpool. They have not won at Goodison Park since 1990-91 and they have not beaten Everton in the league since a 1993-94 victory at Anfield. Those statistics, and the fact that Ferguson has always played well and has never been on a losing Everton side in a derby, suggest Liverpool are up against it again.

However, Liverpool captain Paul Ince discounts the Ferguson fear factor. "Our defence has played well against Alan Shearer, Dion Dublin and Dennis Bergkamp this season and I don't see it being any different against Duncan. Obviously he has aerial power, but we have not made it an obsession just to stop him because Everton have other players who can be a danger too."

"It's fair comment that it's about time that we won one of these games," said joint manager Roy Evans yesterday. "It's about time we gave our fans the chance to walk around this city with some pride because they haven't been able to do that for some while.

"We have been criticised occasionally for not being aggressive enough but there have been derby matches when we have dominated long periods of the game and they have scored from set-pieces and high balls."

Evans was also playing down the Ferguson factor. "We will be going there certainly without being frightened of them. That aspect of their game is part and parcel of the game and we have to deal with that as a team."

Evans hopes to have Steve McManaman back in the side while Dominic Matteo is in the side for the injured Phil Babb. David James, so often criticised for his uncertainty in the air, can expect another searching examination, with Brad Friedel ruled out by a groin problem.

Everton manager Walter Smith, a veteran of Glasgow derby days, is looking forward to his first all-Liverpool clash.

"Having lived through Glasgow derbies, I can identify with Liverpool and I know what derby games mean to the region. Old Firm derbies are naturally different in terms of the religious connotations and in recent years, they were given an extra edge because Rangers were going for Celtic's record of nine titles in a row. Inevitably, they are very nervy occasions, but at the same time, it gives me the knowledge of what derby games are all about."

Smith is likely to give new signing Ibrahim Bakayoko his debut, Everton have problems over the suspensions of Marco Materazzi and Olivier Dacourt, and the construction of their midfield and centre of defence will give Smith trouble. Craig Short has recovered from a virus and will probably partner David Unsworth and Dave Watson, but the loss of Dacourt could involve Gareth Farrelly coming into midfield or Michael Ball being pushed forward to allow Mitch Ward or Alex Cleland into the defence.