Liverpool go into Sunday’s game versus Everton, kick-off at 16:00 hours (BST) with both sides fighting for the final Champions League qualifying spot. The Reds lie in fourth, two points clear of their Merseyside rivals, who are just behind in fifth place.

The Reds will be looking to return to winning ways against the Blues after their run of five Premier League victories was brought to an end last weekend at Old Trafford. Everton will be hoping to move above their neighbours after making a good start to the year, losing just the once, a defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago.

Fernando Torres missed out on Liverpool’s late win over their neighbours from Stanley Park earlier on in the season. The striker had picked up an injury with the Spanish national team, and although Torres had been training well the week before, Rafa Benitez decided leave the Spaniard out of the Merseyside derby.

Everton went ahead on 37 minutes as Sami Hyypia sliced into his own net, but Dirk Kuyt levelled for the Reds from the spot soon after restart. Liverpool grabbed all three points in stoppage time as Kuyt converted his second spot-kick of the afternoon.

The two teams have met a total of 177 times, with Liverpool winning on 66 occasions, Everton 56 times, and with 55 games ending in a draw. At Anfield, Liverpool have collected 37 wins to Everton’s 23 wins, with 28 games ending in a draw.

The Toffees have won only two of the last 16 Merseyside derbies against Liverpool, and have not taken all three points from Anfield since earning a 0-1 victory back on 27 September 1999. Last year’s corresponding fixture ended in a 0-0 draw as the defences got the better of the attacks.

Everton are one of the top five most successful English clubs since being founded in 1878. They were founder members of the Football League in 1888 and have contested more seasons in the top flight than any other club. The Toffees have won nine league titles, five FA Cup’s and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, though the Blues have not brought any silverware back to Goodison Park since their last FA Cup triumph in 1995.

The Merseysiders most successful period came during the 1980’s, when they won the FA Cup in 1983/84 season plus two league titles, 1984/85 and in 1986/87.

Even during their glory period though, Everton could not escape from the shadow of their neighbours. The Blues lost to Liverpool in the 1984 League Cup final, finished runners-up to the Reds in both league and cup competitions in 1985/86, and lost the 1988/89 FA Cup final in a thrilling game 3-2.

Torres is Liverpool’s top goalscorer this season and should the Spaniard score against Everton at Anfield, he will equal the club record of scoring in six successive top-flight home games. The feat has been achieved by Fred Pagnam (1919), Roger Hunt (1964), Ian Rush (1983) and Michael Owen (1999).

Following the Merseyside derby, Liverpool will face Arsenal three times in the space of a week. The teams will first meet in the Champions League quarter-finals at the Emirates on Wednesday, followed by the Premier League clash in London on April 5, before the return-leg of the European tie at Anfield, on April 8.