High-stakes Mersey derby

GERARD HOULLIER has issued a defiant “let’s go for it” call to Liverpool as they brace themselves for a Merseyside showdown with Everton.

The Goodison Park clash on Easter Saturday will virtually determine who retains a chance of clinching a Champions League berth next season, in the most important derby battle for years.

And Liverpool find themselves considered the underdogs, going into the game one point and one place behind Everton, who have lost at home only once at home in the this Premiership all season.

But Houllier insists Liverpool are up to have the bottle for the crunch clash, saying: “It’s not a question of nerve now, it’s a question of winning the games. If you don’t have nerve you can’t play football anyway.

“The best way to prepare for a derby is to win, so let’s go for it.”

Liverpool don’t expect to have defender Stephane Henchoz fit after his calf operation, but it’s thought that both Danny Murphy and El-Hadji Diouf will be recovered from the neck and shin injuries that kept them out of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.

Liverpool stars accepts that it’s a winner-takes-all collision.

Houllier says: “There is competition for the top spot between Manchester United and Arsenal, and then for the rest of the Champions League spots between Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton and ourselves.

“It makes the Premiership extremely exciting this season. It sets it up very nicely for the derby, for both teams.

“The derby is vital for a Champions League spot, it’s an exciting game and an exciting challenge.”

Vladimir Smicer, architect of the Fulham win and now in contest against with Diouf to stay in the side at Goodison, spells out that challenge.

He said: “Only the winner will have a realistic chance of Champions League football next season.

“Maybe it will work in our favour that we are away. The stadium will be full of Evertonians expecting their team to get at us, so if we can be solid and put on a good display it could go our way.”

Liverpool clearly believe their European fate is in their own hands, with Smicer saying: “We have to play both Everton and Chelsea away, it’s going to be difficult, but if we win them both then we are right back in it. It is still a realistic target.”

Everton will no doubt feel the same with games against both Liverpool and Chelsea over three days at Easter.

But Liverpool are determined to be positive too, and Emile Heskey, scorer of the first against Fulham, said: “The Fulham result was a good one for us, and one which sets us up nicely for the derby.

“We still believe we can get into the top four. We’re going to need some more wins yet before we get there but we’re all confident.

“The derby is going to be a great match. They are always fast and furious and I’m sure this one will be no different.

“It’s a big game for both teams and one we’re looking forward to.”