The Spaniard takes on the Reds for the first time as Toffees boss on Saturday at Goodison Park and says he cannot wait to taste “such an exciting fixture”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says he is looking forward to his first Merseyside derby with his new club as he prepares to take on Liverpool at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Both clubs have begun the season in fine style with the Toffees going into the game just three points behind Brendan Rodgers’ high-flying Reds who sit second in the table.

Martinez says he is excited by the prospect of facing Liverpool, and is expecting a good game with both teams in such good form.

“You can tell it’s got a special feel about it and especially now that both teams are in very good positions after strong starts to the season,” he told the club’s official website.

“So, it’s going to be a good fixture – an important fixture. But, I think more importantly, a real football celebration of how well the two teams have started so far.

“It’s an exciting fixture in the football calendar, never mind just in Liverpool. So, there’s been a lot of talk, a lot of stories mentioned around the derbies, so I’m really, really looking forward to seeing Goodison in such an exciting fixture.”

Martinez says the fixture has all the ingredients needed to make it one of the most important games in the world and says it promises to be an intriguing match.

“From my point of view, it’s the most exciting one for the history that is surrounding the game and the passion of the fans,” he added.

“It makes it a really, really important game. I think the two teams are now sharing a similar football style, which is going to make it a really fascinating game of football.

“I think from every single angle you want to measure a derby game; this one could be as good as any if you are looking throughout the football world.

“So, you can imagine the ingredients are there and I think the quality that the two squads are bringing to the game is going to make it a special football game.”