Leighton Baines pleased Everton will take on Liverpool lacking Luis Suarez
Leighton Baines is glad Luis Suarez will not be around when Everton face Liverpool in next Sunday's Merseyside derby.
Last Updated: 28/04/13 1:52pm
Boss David Moyes is yet to win at Anfield, but breaking an Everton winless run there that dates back to 1999 would mean bragging rights for the blue half of the city as it would guarantee them finishing the season ahead of their rivals.
Although Liverpool won 6-0 at Newcastle on Saturday without their banned Uruguayan international, Baines believes they are a far different prospect with Suarez in their line-up.
"We're glad we don't have to face Luis Suarez because he's a top player and he has done so much for Liverpool this season," Baines said.
"If they had been missing him this season they probably wouldn't be where they are in the league at the moment. He will be a big loss for them.
"But they have got very good players throughout the team and it will be up to them to come to the fore and keep them going. We understand the importance of it, it is a big game.
"Every derby is massive because of what it is and it means so much to the fans and us as players as well. But there is no added importance because it is at the end of the season, it is just another derby."
Everton made hard work of beating Fulham 1-0 on Saturday, but that was enough to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive, and Baines says all the team can do is keep on pushing for positive results.
He added: "We have to try to keep getting good results and we've definitely done that at home. We've dropped a few points away but that happens but we bounced back. If a couple of results go our way and we can keep winning games then who knows where we will end up."