Steven Gerrard believes previous meetings will count for nothing when Liverpool meet Everton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Liverpool captain expects Everton to be fired up for semi-final
Steven Gerrard believes previous meetings will count for nothing when Liverpool meet Everton in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Liverpool have won both Merseyside derbies in the Premier League this season and beat Everton in the FA Cup final at Wembley twice in the 1980s.
The Reds have also lost just two of the last 13 encounters between the local rivals in all competitions, although Everton head into the match a point and a place above Kenny Dalglish's side in the table.
However, Liverpool captain Gerrard believes a place in the FA Cup final next month will be earned by the team who do the business on the day.
"I think form, psychological edges and previous meetings go out the window," said the 31-year-old.
"Everton will be fired up for this game and we will be the same and the winner of this semi-final will be the team which turns up with the best form on the day."
Tough game
On the significance of Everton's position in the table, the skipper added: "I don't think it adds any pressure (for Liverpool) because everyone is aware Everton are in good form and we have been inconsistent in the league.
"Everton have a superb manager and that is the key to everything in Everton's form.
"The new signings in January have made them a lot stronger but they are a difficult side to beat, so we know we are in for a really tough game.
"This is a cup game so I don't think league form really matters. It is difficult to pick a favourite.
"We are not interested in who are favourites and who are underdogs, we are just interested in the job we need to do to beat Everton and we are confident we can do that."
Liverpool received a much-needed boost on Tuesday with a last-gasp 3-2 win over Blackburn, only their third league victory of 2012 and a first win after taking one point from four matches.
Gerrard said the result was significant but was not vital to their chances this weekend, saying: "I don't think we needed a lift.
"We try to win every game at this club and we will go into the Everton game in a positive confident mood, whether we won at Blackburn or not.
"But I think it was important to stop the rot in the league."
