Everton Vs Liverpool, Saturday 1 October, 1145 GMT

Liverpool and Everton will battle it out in the first Merseyside derby of the season in Saturday's early kick-off in the English Premier League.

Those who know their football history will also know that this will be the first time Kenny Dalglish returns to Goodison Park as a Liverpool manager since that fateful 4-4 draw a little more than 20 years ago.

Everton, traditionally slow starters, come to this game on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City wherein the gulf in class was all too visible. Put in context though, David Moyes' side have done well after losing their star Mikel Arteta in the last few hours of the summer transfer window. They sit at 11 in the table after five games, as they are yet to play the delayed opening day fixture against Tottenham. They have won twice, against Wigan and West Brom, while their two losses came against QPR, in their opening match of the season, and Manchester City last week.

Liverpool's blistering start to the season came to a sudden stop after back-to-back losses at Tottenham and Stoke. However, they returned with a win against Wolves last week and will look to build on it. They are a much changed side since their last Merseyside derby and Luis Suarez, Jordan Henderson, Luis Enrique, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Sebastian Coates will all experience it for the first time. Steven Gerrard is also set to feature for Liverpool after recovering from a long-standing injury last week.

Dalglish will have flashbacks of that day 20 years ago, when he felt too burdened by the stresses of football while overseeing Everton equalize four time against his Liverpool team. However, this time, things are very different as he looks to usher the Reds into a new era under Fenway Sports Group. Everton, for their part, will not make it any easier for him though. It should be a thriller.

Team News

Everton will nervously await Tim Cahill's late fitness test a he sustained a bruised shin against Manchester City last week. Victor Anichebe, who is out for the long-term, is their only other injury worry.

For Liverpool, skipper Steven Gerrard is likely to play a part having recovered from a long-standing injury, but will start from the bench while Daniel Agger suffered a broken rib last week and is sidelined, although he returned to training. Glen Johnson is also sidelined with injury.

Match Fact

Having played each other 184 in the league before this, Liverpool have won 70 times to Everton's 57.

In their last nine Premier League encounters, The Toffees' have won just once. That victory came last season at Goodison Park.

Prediction - Everton 1-1 Liverpool

Soccer Football Vs