Everton manager Roberto Martinez is keen to shift the focus away from Steven Gerrard and on to his side as they go head-to-head with Liverpool in the 224th Merseyside derby on Saturday.
Much of the talk heading into the Goodison Park clash has been about the Liverpool skipper, who will face Everton in the Premier League for the last time before his move to the LA Galaxy in the summer.
But when asked for his thoughts on that and the midfielder’s decision to move to MLS at the end of the season, Martinez said: “When we play the Merseyside derby at Goodison, we want it to be our Merseyside derby and that’s the only thing we are looking at.
“As a football club, we have been in a period when we haven’t been enjoying the results that we wanted, so we will look forward to it being our Merseyside derby.”
Everton have won only one of their last 12 encounters with their neighbours and none of the last nine, although they came close to beating them at home in a thriller last season when only a late Daniel Sturridge equaliser ensured Martinez’s men were held to a 3-3 draw.
Martinez believes this fixture finds both sides in good condition and is anticipating something similar to the drama of the corresponding fixture last year.
The Spaniard, who took over at Everton in the summer of 2013, said: “These derbies are special.
“When you are involved and on the inside, you understand why it’s such an incredible fixture in world football. It’s everything that you expect and more in an intense derby.”
Martinez is not the only man looking forward to the contest though, with Liverpool's Gerrard highlighting how he looks forward to this game more than any other.
Gerrard has been the target of abuse from the blue half of the city from almost the moment he made his debut in 1999.
The 34-year-old, whose side have started to rediscover the form that almost took them to a first league title for 24 years last season, accepts his summer departure does not mean Everton fans will change their stance.
“I love the banter with Everton fans. It’s what it’s all about. It’s about rivalries and big games of football,” he said.
“I’m up for all that. I don’t mind it at all. Bring it on, as far as I’m concerned.
“It will be my last derby and it will be someone else’s turn to be in the spotlight.
“It becomes Jordan Henderson’s problem and Jon Flanagan’s problem because the Everton fans will soon turn on them.”
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