Phil Jagielka believes Everton are in the ideal frame of mind to face Liverpool in consecutive Merseyside derbies.
Defender looking forward to league and cup games
Phil Jagielka believes Everton are in the ideal frame of mind to face Liverpool in consecutive Merseyside derbies.
The Toffees travel to Anfield in the Premier League next Monday before taking on their local rivals six days later in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool have only lost once all season and are currently top of the league table, but Everton are also in fine form having climbed to sixth.
They have kept clean sheets in their last six matches and Jagielka is looking forward to tackling Rafa Benitez's side.
"A few months ago we couldn't buy a clean sheet, but now we have started to defend really well and it's six games without us conceding now," he said.
"We are performing well, getting the lead and then seeing out games with the way we are playing at the back. It is certainly the right form to be in going into two games with Liverpool next."
Fellaini blow
Marouane Fellaini will sit out both matches after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Hull City.
Jagielka accepts that it is disappointing to have lost the Belgian midfielder, who scored against the Tigers and has been impressive all season.
He said: "The shame is that Fellaini got booked and is now banned from the two derbies. We all knew he was on a tightrope, but he was always likely to get booked over the next few games so he would have missed a couple of games anyway.
"But we are not happy with the free-kick given against him that caused that latest booking. It was a bit pathetic really, to get booked for something like that, he took the ball and their lad (Michael Turner) ducked really low.
"But we have to get on with it now without him for both the Liverpool games."
