Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Merseyside derby as Everton travel across Stanley Park to take on Liverpool at Anfield. The mood amongst the clubs could not be more different going into the game, but the form book often goes out of the window in this fixture and both managers will be desperate to pick up a victory for very different reasons. Before we get into all that, though, let's take a look at the two teams...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino; Origi

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Toure, Smith, Stewart, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge

EVERTON STARTING XI: Joel; Oviedo, Funes Mori, Stones, Baines; McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Lennon, Barkley; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Howard, Niasse, Besic, Cleverley, Deulofeu, Osman, Pienaar

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, the first thing to note from Liverpool's point of view is that they are back to approaching full strength for this match, as expected. Klopp made 10 changes to the side for their weekend game against Bournemouth, and makes nine more tonight as a whole host of first-team regulars return to the starting XI. A full-strength Liverpool side now appears to mean Divock Origi up front too, with the Belgian once again being preferred to Sturridge as he has been for the biggest games recently. Both are in fine scoring form, though, with Sturridge able to come off the bench having scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances.

Arguably the most in-form player for Liverpool at the moment is Roberto Firmino, though. The Brazilian is one of only two players to keep his place from the weekend having opening the scoring at Dean Court to make it eight goals in his last 10 league appearances for the club. He has suffered from injury recently, but appears to be back to full fitness now and, including four assists, has had a direct hand in 12 goals over those last 10 games.

The only other player to retain their starting spot is Lucas Leiva, who began the Bournemouth match at centre-back but moves further forward into midfield for this game. Liverpool are suffering a few injuries in that area of the field, with Emre Can and Jordan Henderson both unlikely to play again this season, who Lucas slots in alongside Milner and Lallana in the middle of the park. In front of them, Coutinho returns to the starting lineup having got the goal that really sparked the dramatic comeback against Dortmund six days ago.

It is all change at the back for Liverpool too as Mignolet returns in place of Ward between the sticks. In front of him, the new first-choice centre-back pairing of Lovren and Sakho once again start having both suffered criticism in their Liverpool careers but starting to show some good form of late. Clyne also returns on the right side of the back four, with Moreno on the opposite flank as Klopp is able to name his strongest defensive unit.

They may need it against an Everton side who are amongst the top scorers in the division, and in particularly against Romelu Lukaku. The big Belgian has scored five goals in his last seven Premier League games against Liverpool and, while he has been a little hit and miss at times this season, there is no doubt that he can be one of the toughest strikers to play against in the league when he is on top of his game. He scored against the Reds in the reverse fixture and will be keen to make it a double on his return to the side having been rested at the weekend.

In all, Roberto Martinez has made six changes to the side that drew with Southampton at the weekend, and that includes a return for Ross Barkley. He, like Lukaku, was rested at Goodison Park a few days ago but is expected to play in a central role behind the striker tonight, with Aaron Lennon - who also returns - and Mirallas either side of him to provide the width.

Anchoring the midfield will be Gareth Barry and James McCarthy, both of whom are also making their returns to the starting XI. McCarthy missed the last outing through suspension but is put straight back into the side tonight, being preferred to the likes of Besic and Cleverley, the latter of whom was given a late fitness test for this match and is only deemed ready for the bench by Roberto Martinez.

There is just the one change of personnel in the defence, although Bryan Oviedo does switch sides from left to right in order to cover for the loss of Coleman to injury. He joins Jagielka on the sidelines, which means another start for Stones and Funes Mori, the latter of whom has scored four league goals this season - second only to Scott Dann in the top-scoring defender stakes. Leighton Baines is the man to come into the side having passed a late fitness test, while Joel is once again preferred to Howard.

It is a return towards the strongest lineups for both clubs following rests at the weekend, then, which just goes to show how important the Merseyside derby remains to both clubs. Liverpool have a Europa League semi-final on the horizon, while Everton are in the last four of the FA Cup this weekend, yet both have named strong sides for this match. Liverpool will go into the game as favourites, though, having begun to show a number of promising signs in recent months as Jurgen Klopp continues to shape the team.

Consistency was the main issue for Liverpool for the vast majority of the season, with the Reds capable of standout results against some of the biggest teams in the league only to put in too many nothing displays alongside them. They have improved in that respect recently, though, and come into tonight's game having won their last three outings in all competitions and lost only one of their last 16 inside 90 minutes.

Those three victories all came in the space of seven memorable days for Liverpool last week, and each one was impressive in their own right. Klopp made a few changes for a tricky match against Stoke which they went on to win 4-1, before a second-string side picked up a 2-1 away victory over Bournemouth at the weekend. The result that will live longest in the memory, though, was a 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund to take them into the semi-finals of the Europa League, coming from two goals down and scoring the winner deep in injury time against Klopp's former employers.

It all points to things going in the right direction under the German manager, and there is a buzz about the club now, with fans optimistic that transfer window and full pre-season under Klopp will provide even more progress. There is no denying that their current league position of eighth is still disappointing, but there is still time to improve that, with victory tonight potentially lifting them up to sixth depending on what happens in West Ham's match against Watford.

Champions League qualification remains the ultimate goal for Liverpool this season, and that appears to be more likely to come via winning the Europa League than it does the Premier League, with nine points the gap to fourth-placed Arsenal. Liverpool do have a game in hand over every other team in the table, but their immediate focus will be more on Manchester United in fifth right now. The gap there is just five points, and should Liverpool win tonight and United drop points against Crystal Palace then the Reds could catch their great rivals in their game in hand.

Liverpool come into tonight's match having gone eight games unbeaten at Anfield since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City in the semi-finals of the League Cup - a tie they went on to win on penalties anyway. Most of their best performances in the early days under Klopp came away from home, but they are certainly improving at Anfield now and they have won five of their last six home games in all competitions, including victories over both Manchester clubs and Dortmund. Title-chasing Spurs are the only visiting team to have avoided defeat in that time.

They are still chasing a level of consistency at home in the league, though, and victory tonight would remarkably make it back-to-back league wins at Anfield for the first time all season. They are unbeaten in four and have only lost three times here in the league all term, but they still have a better record on the road.

Everton are another team who have been better of the road this season, although the difference between their home and away form is more stark than Liverpool's. It is Everton's form at Goodison Park that is the reason behind much of the ill-feeling towards manager Roberto Martinez at the moment, with the sight of banners calling for his resignation becoming all too common at Everton games now. You can certainly understand the fans' frustrations when you consider just how poor they have been at Goodison.

Only relegated Aston Villa have picked up fewer points in front of their own fans this season, with Everton managing just 17 so far. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, the Toffees will finish the campaign with their worst home record in the Premier League era, with the mark currently 25 points set in 1996-97. When you compare that to their away form - where they have won seven more points despite playing a game fewer on the road, then it really drives home how much they have relied on their away exploits.

Perhaps the most remarkable disparity between home and away for Everton this season has been in goals conceded. They have shipped just 15 goals on the road all term - a tally that is only bettered by Tottenham Hotspur, who have the best overall defensive record in the entire division. However, at home Everton have conceded a whopping 29 times - almost twice as many as they have let in on their travels.

It all adds to what has been a rather peculiar, but above all disappointing and frustrating season for the Toffees. They have a squad bristling with youthful talent which appears to have the potential for big success, with the likes of Lukaku, Barkley and Stones forming a promising spine. They are also amongst the top scorers in the league and have a goal difference of +9 - the best outside the top seven. Yet still they find themselves in the bottom half of the table with only five games left to play.

It is draws that have been the real killer for Everton this season, with 14 of their 33 league games ending all square, including each of the last three. No team has drawn more games this season, while only the bottom four have won fewer matches than Everton. If they had been able to turn some of those draws into wins then things would look a lot better for them right now, and the same applies if they had been able to hold on to leads. In the last three games in which they have scored the opening goal, Everton have failed to win, dropping seven points in the process with two draws and a defeat.

The latest of those occasions came on Saturday as Mane cancelled out a Funes Mori opener to earn a 1-1 draw for Southampton at Goodison Park, extending Everton's winless run in the league to six games. They have picked up only three points from the 18 available in that time, with their last victory coming against lowly Aston Villa at the start of March.

They have actually only been beaten twice away from home all season, though, with Manchester United and Arsenal the two home teams to have picked up a victory against them. No team in the league has lost fewer away games, and only one of those defeat have come in their last 11 outings. That run includes seven draws, though, and overall this season their 16 away games have yielded nine draws, which once again is too many dropped points for the Toffees.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! As I've just mentioned, Everton are not an easy team to beat on their travels, but while this is always an important game, they will have one eye on Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Wembley. Liverpool seem to be getting on a bit of a roll at the moment, and I can see them picking up a 2-1 victory in Klopp's first Merseyside derby.

Perhaps the safest bet this evening would be on a draw, though, considering that six of the last seven derbies have ended all square. Liverpool are, however, unbeaten in their last 10 league games against their close neighbours, with three wins and seven draws in that time since a 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park in October 2010. It is their longest unbeaten run against Everton in the league since an 11-match streak from 1979-84.

That 2010 win at Goodison Park is Everton's only triumph in the the last 18 editions of this fixture, with nine draws and eight defeats in that time. You have to go all the way back to 1999 for their last win at Anfield, though, with Kevin Campbell scoring the only goal of the game the last time the Toffees prevailed in the red half of Merseyside. They have visited 16 times in all competitions since then, losing seven and drawing nine.

This is the fixture that has seen the most red cards in Premier League history (20), although there hasn't been a single sending-off in the last eight meetings and Klopp has urged his players to keep their heads this evening. Considering there isn't a great deal for either side to fight for in the league now, I would be surprised if we saw a particularly feisty affair, despite it being a derby match.

The reverse fixture earlier this season proved to be Brendan Rodgers's last game in charge of Liverpool as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison, with Lukaku having cancelled out a Danny Ings opener. It was also 1-1 the last time Everton visited Anfield, with Phil Jagielka rescuing a point for his side with a stunning volley in injury time after Steven Gerrard's free kick had given the hosts the lead.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Liverpool get us underway for this Merseyside derby as they look to make it four wins in a row in all competitions, and claim local bragging rights in the process.

Quick start to the match as first Everton deal with a couple of crosses into the box before the visitors break quickly, with Lukaku leading the charge. Lucas gets a foot in, but the pressure remains from Everton.

Another important contribution from Lucas as this time Barkley clatters into Clyne and immediately brings the ball forward. He beats a couple of red shirts and is about to let fly, but Lucas gets a foot in again.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool to take the lead! A slice from Oviedo is picked up by Coutinho, who plays a fine first-time ball through to Lallana. The midfielder only has the keeper to beat, but Joel spreads himself well and makes a big, big save.

Before that chance I was just about to type how well Everton has started the match, looking to get on the front foot and not allowing Liverpool any time on the ball. It has been a frenetic start to the match at both ends.

YELLOW CARD! It hasn't taken long for the first card of the game as Milner goes into the book having been warned moments before. It is a little harsh, however, as Milner didn't appear to see Baines when stretching for the ball and catching the full-back.

It has been a good opening 10 minutes to this derby. Any worries that either side wouldn't be fully committed with arguably more important games on the horizon have been put to rest, with neither team afraid to leave a foot in so far.

SHOT! Great play from Mirallas as he takes the ball out of defence, beating three Liverpool players in a fine solo run. He tries to pick out Lukaku, but his pass his cut out by Sakho. It deflects back into the path of Mirallas, though, who then curls one over the top.

Important defending from Baines as he gets across to clear a dangerous ball into the box from Lallana, who had been released down the left channel by Coutinho's pass.

Liverpool are seeing more of the ball at the moment and have an element of control over the game, but Everton are still looking capable of doing damage on the break.

CHANCE! Big chance for Everton to take the lead as Barry finds Mirallas, who gets away from Lovren but then puts his finish wide of the target when he should have done better!

SHOT! At the other end Liverpool have another shooting opportunity as Coutinho shifts the ball onto his right foot, but fires over the top from 25 yards out.

Brilliant challenge from Sakho has he steals the ball off the toe of Lukaku just when it looked as though the Belgian had held the defender off. He had to get that spot on, and it was exactly that from Sakho.

It is Stones's turn to make an important defensive contribution at the other end now, throwing himself in the way of Lallana's effort before bundling the ball behind for a corner.

CLOSE! Liverpool are so close to the opening goal here! Moments after Lucas had tested Joel with a 25-yard effort, Clyne sends a cross in from the right that Lallana attacks at the near post. He uses the pace of the cross to steer it goalwards, but it flies narrowly wide with Joel beaten.

McCarthy is a little fortunate not to join Milner in the book here have gone clattering in to Firmino and got none of the ball. Bobby Madley has been lenient there.

Funes Mori comes right through Lallana to give Liverpool a free kick in a very promising position...

SHOT! It is Coutinho who goes for goal, but he fires it towards the goalkeeper's side and it ends up bouncing a few yards wide of the target.

SHOT! Another long-range effort arrives from Liverpool as an over-hit corner is chased down by Sakho, who knocks it back to his centre-back partner Lovren. He drives a powerful strike towards goal, but it goes wide of the near post.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Liverpool, but another big save from Joel! A ball over the top sees Firmino spring the offside trap and take the ball down really well to take him through on goal. Joel once again saves it with his legs, however, as Everton survive another big scare.

It is Liverpool who are asking all of the questions right now, and Everton need a couple of blocks in quick succession to keep the hosts at bay. Both Coutinho and Lallana see their efforts blocked as Liverpool win another corner.

It is all very messy from the corner, with Everton surviving a handball appeal and Coutinho then firing a deflected effort into the arms of Joel.

Good defending from Moreno as he gets an important foot in to challenge Barkley. The Everton midfielder looked to have gone the long way round his marker, but Moreno went to ground and made the tackle inside the area.

Liverpool are getting into some promising positions here and really putting pressure on the Everton defence. It is the hosts who look most likely to score the opening goal right now.

SAVE! Joel is called into action again, although this is a little more routine for the keeper than some of his previous saves. It is good footwork from Origi as he dances his way into a shooting position, but he doesn't really catch his shot and it is easy for Joel to collect.

YELLOW CARD! Lennon goes into the book for a challenge on Milner, who tried to stay on his feet but couldn't. Free kick in a good crossing position for the Reds here...

Milner opts not to put the ball into the box this time, instead rolling it back to Clyne who sees his shot blocked.

Liverpool break the deadlock late in the first half here, and it is Origi again with the goal! Milner twists and turns on the right flank before hanging a cross to the back post which Joel could probably come for. He is caught in two minds, though, and Origi soars over Stones to steer his header in. A deserved lead for the hosts!

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

It is two goals at the end of the first half for Liverpool! Again Milner is the provider, playing a one-two with Lallana to reach the byline before standing a cross into the middle. Sakho is waiting there unmarked, and he plants a header home from close range. Game over?

The referee brings an end to the first half at Anfield, and it is Liverpool who are in control of the derby at the halfway stage courtesy of two late goals. It is a deserved lead for the Reds, who have enjoyed the better territory and possession so far, and but for Joel Robles it could be even worse for the Toffees at the interval.

The opening goal came in the 43rd minute when Milner hoisted a cross to the back post for Origi, who climbed above Stones to plant a header into the corner. Joel perhaps could have come to claim the cross, but was caught in two minds, and in the end it was a fairly simple finish for Origi after he had got up before Stones.

That lead was doubled in the final minute of first-half stoppage time as Sakho made it two goals in his last two starts with another header. Again, the defending left a lot to be desired for Everton, and again it was Milner who exploited it with a cross into the box that found Sakho completely unmarked. The Frenchman had a simple task of then nodding in from close range to put his side in complete control.

Liverpool have missed a couple of clear chances to make things even more comfortable too. In the opening stages of the game Lallana was released clean through on goal, but Joel spread himself well to deny the midfielder when he tried to slide his finish under the keeper. The Everton keeper made a similar save later in the half to deny Firmino too, but those heroics look to be in vain following that end to the half.

KICKOFF: Everton get us back underway for the second half here, and the visitors have made a change with Muhamed Besic replacing Barry.

Everton will need to show an awful lot more in this second half if they are to haul themselves back into this game. They made a bright enough start to the contest, but Simon Mignolet is yet to be tested tonight.

Things go from bad to worse for Everton as they are reduced to 10 men just five minutes into the second half. It initially looks like a strange decision from Bobby Madley when he produces a straight red, but the replay proves the referee right. That was a nasty challenge from Funes Mori, who went in late and high on Origi, who is in serious pain right now. This looks like a bad injury for the in-form striker.

The stretchers are on for Origi here and the Belgian will not be able to continue here. It didn't look to bad in normal time to be honest, but that could be a broken ankle for Origi.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Origi is carried off the field to a standing ovation, being replaced by Daniel Sturridge. It looks like it could be a bad one for Origi.

From Everton's point of view, Martinez has a dilemma here too. He is already short on central defenders, and with Funes Mori now off - and suspended for a few games - Martinez must find a solution.

EVERTON SUB: Barkley is the man being sacrificed, and he isn't happy about it. He makes way to be replaced by Tom Cleverley.

Almost a chance for Liverpool as Sturridge plays the ball down the right channel for Firmino, but Joel is again off his line quickly and blocks the pass back across goal with his legs.

SAVE! Sturridge is certainly not a bad replacement to be able to call upon, and he looks to add a third from range here. He curls one towards the top corner, but Joel is across in good time and makes a fairly routine stop.

It hasn't taken him long to get in on the act! Sturridge adds a third for Liverpool as Lucas pounces on a pass from back from Stones. He nips in and then plays a good ball in to Sturridge, who takes a touch in the box before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner. Game well and truly over now, and Everton could be in line for a rout here.

EVERTON SUB: When it rains, it pours. Everton lose their other central defender here as Stones goes off with what looks like an injury to be replaced by Steven Pienaar.

It is now McCarthy and Besic at the heart of the Everton defence. Liverpool will really fancy their chances of putting a couple more past this Everton side, while for the visitors it is now damage limitation mode.

CHANCE! Another chance for Liverpool from a poor ball out of the back from Liverpool. This time it is Milner who pounces on it and plays a cross into the middle on the slide for Coutinho. The Brazilian adjusts his body well to go for goal, but Oviedo is there to make the block.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Klopp makes another change as Joe Allen comes on to replace Firmino.

His side may be three goals down, but Martinez would bite your hand off if you offered him the full-time whistle now. It only looks as though Liverpool will increase their lead in the final 20 minutes or so.

SAVE! Another save for Joel to make as Moreno fires a powerful swerving strike towards goal. Robles doesn't dare try to catch it, instead just punching it away to safety.

Liverpool pile the pressure on Everton and have the ball in dangerous positions inside the box on a number of occasions, but it just never falls for them to have a go. They have red shirts flinging themselves at the ball, but in the end Everton survive.

CHANCE! Big block from McCarthy to keep the deficit at three following another quick break. Milner again provides the cross, and Allen does really well to control it and get a shot away. McCarthy makes the block, though, and another spell of pressure comes to an end shortly afterwards. It is just too easy for the hosts at the moment, though - they are queuing up to have a pop at goal.

SHOT! The latest shot comes from Clyne from a tight angle, but while it has plenty of power he can't keep it down and it flies well over.

This is starting to get very damaging for Martinez. Liverpool get a fourth goal as Coutinho picks out the bottom corner with a trademark finish. Allen squared the ball to the Brazilian just outside the area, and Coutinho just opened his body and fired it past Joel.

SAVE! This has been an absolute nightmare for Everton tonight, and it is a long way from being over just yet. Liverpool are camped in the Everton half and have another shot here as Coutinho looks to repeat his finish from moments before. He goes for the opposite corner this time, though, and the keeper makes the save.

It is 'Ole!' football from Liverpool right now, and their latest spell of possession draws a standing ovation from Anfield. They are thoroughly enjoying this.

LIVERPOOL SUB: A third and final change for Liverpool sees Jordon Ibe replace Milner.

SHOT! Moreno is virtually playing as a striker now, although the same could be said for about six Liverpool players. It is utter dominance for the host at the moment, and they have another crack at goal when Moreno powers one over the top from 25 yards.

SHOT! Moreno is desperate to get in on the act here! He goes for goal again with a powerful strike from range, but again it goes over the top.

The news is filtering through that Origi has suffered a badly sprained ankle, which is better news than it initially looked like being for the Reds. That injury is the only blot on the copybook for the hosts tonight.

There will be seven minutes of injury time at the end of this match. Everton's misery goes on!

SAVE! Another save for Robles to make as he once again uses his feet well to keep out a deflected effort from Ibe.

CHANCE! It's Clyne's turn to go for goal now as Lallana sends a pass through to the marauding full-back, who can only lift his finish over the top.

SHOT! Liverpool really are enjoying themselves here, and Klopp, Lucas and everyone can afford a laugh when the Brazilian goes for goal and misses by a mile.

CLOSE! Sturridge goes for a spectacular fifth, looking to disguise a cross but instead trying to chip Joel from a long way out. The keeper is forced to backtrack and tip the ball over the crossbar.

Wow. I don't think I have ever seen a more one-sided derby than that as Liverpool thrash Everton 4-0 at Anfield. It could have been many more too, with the Reds toying with Everton for the final half an hour and ending the game having fired off over 40 shots. It is a dream evening for the home side and a perfect way for Klopp to introduce himself to the Merseyside derby, but where does this leave Roberto Martinez?

Liverpool scored twice in the closing stages of the first half to take control of the game, with Origi opening the scoring when he nodded in Milner's cross at the back post after 43 minutes. Milner was again the provider for the second in stoppage time for the first half as he stood up a cross to Sakho, who was left unmarked for a simple finish from close range. Ramiro Funes Mori was shown a red card five minutes into the second half that saw Liverpool gain complete control of the contest, and they added further goals from Sturridge and Coutinho and cap off the rout.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's memorable Merseyside derby as Liverpool thrash Everton 4-0 to pile the pressure on Roberto Martinez. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!