The Reds lead the form table over the last six games and are through to the FA Cup fifth round, while the hosts have just one win in the Premier League in the last seven games

Liverpool and Everton contest the 224th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Saturday, with visiting boss Brendan Rodgers delighted to have seen his team turn a corner of late.

Rodgers’ men have taken 16 points from their last six Premier League outings and booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in midweek.

The Anfield outfit have not lost the derby since 2010 but were denied victory in this season’s reverse fixture by a late Phil Jagielka thunderbolt.

With Rodgers’ side eager to maintain upward momentum against their near-neighbours, the Liverpool boss talked up the squad’s renewed belief in Thursday’s pre-match news conference.

“They are incredible games to be involved in as a manager and for the players. We prepare really well for every game and this game is no different,” he explained.

“Our momentum at the moment is at a real good level. I’m happy with how it’s going for us, considering where we were at the first part of the season.

“In these types of games the form goes out of the window. The derby games bring a different sort of emotion. At this moment in time, we as a team are operating at a really good level.

“So, whether it’s home or away, we have real confidence that we can go and win the game.”

Everton too have managed to arrest poor form of late – having bounced back from their four-match losing run in the Premier League over the Christmas and new year period.

While a run of one victory from five outings since then is far from ideal form, Martinez insists his side are much improved from where they were at the start of the year.

“Obviously, the last derby that we had at Goodison [3-3 in November 2013] was a phenomenal football game with plenty of goals and two teams with a real attacking mindset,” the Spaniard said.

“I expect very much the same – two teams that are going into the fixture in very good moments of form.

“Liverpool have found their way of performing and are really enjoying a good run and we feel in a similar situation in terms of the confidence of the win that we had at the weekend.”

Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic is expected to be available despite suffering a knock against Bolton, while Martinez could welcome back James McCarthy (hamstring) and give a debut to loan signing Aaron Lennon.

Tim Howard, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar remain sidelined for Saturday’s hosts, however.

The England international made substitute appearances against West Ham and Bolton Wanderers following his lengthy injury absence though he is still building up his fitness

Daniel Sturridge is pushing to make his return to Liverpool’s starting XI in Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Brendan Rodgers has revealed.

The England striker spent five months on the sidelines with calf and thigh injuries before making a goalscoring comeback as a substitute against West Ham last week.

Another cameo appearance in the midweek FA Cup win at Bolton Wanderers followed, as Sturridge ramps up his recovery.

Sturridge has six goals in nine career appearances against Liverpool’s local rivals, including three in three derby outings – he has not scored more against any other team.

That impressive form could tempt Rodgers into throwing his star striker in from the start, but the Ulsterman remains wary over his fitness.

“Every player wants to play, not just Daniel,” Rodgers said. “You go into each game and every player that gets paid here at the football club wants to play.

“Daniel is coming along very well. It’s not that he won’t start, but we need to analyse that over the next couple of days. We shall see.”

The memorial will be placed outside of Goodison Park prior to kick-off in the Merseyside derby and Roberto Martinez has spoken of his pride of the occasion

Everton are to unveil a Hillsborough memorial plaque ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 people and injured 766 others in 1989, occurred during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Everton fans have put their football rivalry to one side to help their near neighbours over the years, and chairman Bill Kenwright, along with Hillsborough Family Support Group chair Margaret Aspinall, will unveil the new permanent tribute this weekend.

“We take a lot of pride in it,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez. “There’s always been a strong bond between the two teams over that tragedy.

“That’s going to be a really important moment.

“It’ll be great from a human point of view to see the two football clubs in the city together and showing the support that a tragedy like that forces into a really painful experience for everyone.”

Aspinall added: “This is a really lovely gesture from Everton, paying tribute to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough. 

“I would like to thank Bill and everyone involved, not least the Everton fans who have provided great support to the families over the years.”

The memorial had been suggested by Everton fans, including Stephen Kelly, whose brother Michael died in the disaster.

“As an Evertonian who lost my brother at Hillsborough, I have always been grateful of the support from the blue side of the city,” he said. 

“I hope that when Evertonians look at this they will feel proud of the way we’ve supported our neighbours.”