Lucas Leiva has called on Liverpool to channel the passion of their former captain Steven Gerrard to guide them to a Merseyside-derby victory at Everton on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds take on their local rivals for the first time in the post-Gerrard era, and the Brazilian midfielder says that he has learned a thing or two from the legendary skipper as to what such a fixture means to the city.

"With Stevie, we could see during the week his emotions were a little bit different," Lucas, who played with the now-Los Angeles Galaxy man for eight years, is quoted as saying by The Mirror. "He was super-focused during the week. He talked a lot about the derby, that he couldn't lose the derby, so it is something I learned from him.

"And I think over the years being here, I have the same feeling. I ­understand how much it means for the fans, for the club and for the players, games like this – to win games like a derby.

"Of course we keep Steve's record, his spirit, and if we do that for sure we are going to be fine. If we play like he has done for many years, with his passion, then we have a chance."

Speculation has mounted that defeat for Liverpool - who sit 10th in the Premier League table - would see manager Brendan Rodgers lose his job.