Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted he loves playing against Everton.
The Argentina captain was rested for Monday's Premier League encounter between the two rivals, but is desperate to feature in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie.
He said: 'I like playing against Everton. Every tackle matters and you have to be brave in every tackle and every situation.
'I love this kind of game where first you have to win the physical battle before you can think about winning the match.
'At Anfield the crowd roars you on and you just feel that you can't come off the pitch with anything left.
'You have to give everything to make sure Liverpool get the right result.'
Tim Cahill scored a late equalise on Monday to further damage Liverpool's title ambitions and Mascherano is desperate to gain revenge and progress in the competition Liverpool last won in 2006.
'When the game is the FA Cup, it is even more important because we want to go far in this competition.
'I haven't lost to Everton in my Liverpool career. Every player loves being in the big games and I am the same.
'They bring the very best out of everyone. These derbies, though, are more civilised in England, people know you can win or lose. In Argentina and Brazil they have a different mentality and winning is all they understand.'
The Argentina captain was rested for Monday's Premier League encounter between the two rivals, but is desperate to feature in Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie.
He said: 'I like playing against Everton. Every tackle matters and you have to be brave in every tackle and every situation.
'I love this kind of game where first you have to win the physical battle before you can think about winning the match.
'At Anfield the crowd roars you on and you just feel that you can't come off the pitch with anything left.
'You have to give everything to make sure Liverpool get the right result.'
Tim Cahill scored a late equalise on Monday to further damage Liverpool's title ambitions and Mascherano is desperate to gain revenge and progress in the competition Liverpool last won in 2006.
'When the game is the FA Cup, it is even more important because we want to go far in this competition.
'I haven't lost to Everton in my Liverpool career. Every player loves being in the big games and I am the same.
'They bring the very best out of everyone. These derbies, though, are more civilised in England, people know you can win or lose. In Argentina and Brazil they have a different mentality and winning is all they understand.'
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