Match Preview: Liverpool FC vs. Everton FC (Kick off 1405 hrs)

Anfield awaits Liverpool legend when he returns home today and come 2.05pm, all eyes will be on the tunnel as Kenny Dalglish once again enters Anfield for the first time in 20 years.

Dalglish has stated that the return will be an emotional one but has been quick to emphasize the importance of the game and the need to secure three points against our closest rivals.

“It’ll be emotional, but so was last year’s derby,” said Dalglish. “For me, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion and a victorious one as well,” he added

With the Reds and the Blues locked together on 25 points, both just four points from the relegation zone, realism needs to kick in too. With the league so close this year a string of good results could catapult Liverpool back up the table. Conversely, continued poor performance could see us slip right into the relegation zone, something few fans would have foreseen during the summer.

Liverpool will be without the key figures of Jamie Carragher, recovering from a shoulder injury, and Steven Gerrard, who continues his suspension following his dismissal at Old Trafford a week ago. But Dalglish is hoping that other senior players step up to the challenge and accept the responsibility of leading the team in the absence of the two.

“[Gerrard and Carragher] are two big players but they're not important players for us this weekend. The important ones for us are the ones who are available and from within that we've got to get leadership," Dalglish said. "It's not any one person who will be designated as being a leader. They are all leaders. They all have got their own responsibilities and they can't shy away from them, I don't think that they will and I don't think they have done."

Match facts:

• As a player, Kenny Dalglish scored five goals for Liverpool against Everton. As a manager, he has faced the Toffees 20 times (Won 11, Drew 6, Lost 3)
• Fernando Torres is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. He has scored 63 goals in 99 appearances. 
• Liverpool have lost four of their last five Premier League matches and have lost 10 matches this season, their most defeats at this stage of any top-flight season for 57 years - that season, we were relegated.
• The Reds have won five of their last six league games at Anfield. 
• Liverpool go into the game without Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. They have played in the last 19 fixtures against Everton since both missed the 1-1 draw at Anfield in February 2002.

Last season:

• Everton 0-2 Liverpool FC (29/11/2009)
• Liverpool FC 1-0 Everton (06/02/2010)

Doubtful/injured:

• Carragher (shoulder)

Suspended:

• Gerrard (Game 2 of 3 match ban)