JAY SPEARING is desperate to be a derby winner at Anfield tonight and help kick-start Liverpool’s flagging Premier League campaign.
The Reds go into the showdown with Everton looking to break a run of three successive league defeats.
In contrast the in-form Blues arrive on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions but Wirral-born Spearing insists that will count for nothing come kick-off.
The tough-tackling midfielder is confident a white-hot derby atmosphere will bring out the best in Kenny Dalglish’s side.
“Every local lad wants to be involved in the derby,” Spearing said.
“It’s a massive game for the city and I want to help us get back to winning ways.
“You have mates texting you with the Blues saying ‘we’re going to beat you’ and the Reds saying ‘you’ve got to beat the Blues’.
“Everton have done well for themselves but if we play the football we can do and take the game to them then hopefully we’ll take the three points.
“Leading up to the game there will be some nervousness but when the game kicks off it’s more excitement. We have to settle down straight away and focus on getting the win.
“When we went to Goodison earlier in the season we were in a sticky patch but we went there and got the result we needed.
“Once the final whistle goes, if we’ve got the three points again then it will be something we will always remember. We know what confidence a win in this game can bring.”
It was in this fixture last January that Spearing announced his arrival on the big stage.
Having been on the periphery under Roy Hodgson, he was a surprise starter in Dalglish’s first home game following his return to the Anfield hot seat.
The 23-year-old rose to the challenge with an impressive display in a 2-2 draw with the Blues and Spearing went on to secure an extended run in the team.
This term he has clocked up another 15 appearances and since the disappointment of not getting on in the Carling Cup final he has started the last two league games.
“The moment the manager said my name when he read the team out that day my mind went blank,” he recalled.
“I realised I would be stepping out in front of 45,000 fans in the derby. It was something that from being a young lad I had dreamed about doing. Kenny told me to show the fans what I could do and I enjoyed every single minute of it.
“For the manager to have the faith and the confidence to put me into the derby meant a lot to me.
“Fingers crossed I’ll be involved again. There will be a great atmosphere and we have to make sure we’re up for it.”
Steven Gerrard is set to return to the starting line-up tonight following his substitute appearance at Sunderland. The skipper will be making his 400th league appearance for the Reds.
Martin Kelly is expected to retain his place at right-back with Glen Johnson unlikely to feature. The England international returned to training last week but then aggravated a leg injury last Friday.
