The Merseyside Derby is never a low-key affair, and when Liverpool host neighbors Everton in their English Premier League game at Anfield Sunday, there will be plenty at stake even if it might not be immediately apparent.
Everton have not won at Anfield for 14 years. David Moyes is yet to taste victory in the famous ground, and with a win guaranteeing sixth-place and a finish above Liverpool for the second straight year, the Toffees will be desperate for all three points.
The gap between the two sides currently stands at five points after 35 games, with Everton throwing away their chance of competing for a top-four place, and Champions League qualification for next year, following their loss to Sunderland a couple of weeks ago.
Everton are five points off Arsenal, who are in fourth, with fifth-placed Tottenham three points ahead with a game in hand.
However, finishing above their Merseyside rivals Liverpool will be a decent consolation prize, and add the first ever victory at Anfield since 1999 to it, and Moyes will finish the season a happy man.
"You want to finish above every team -- I wanted to finish above Manchester United and Manchester City this season," Moyes said.
"Do I want to finish above Liverpool? Of course I do. But it can't be our sole objective, and I would be surprised if it was Liverpool's to finish above us.
"In terms of our target at the moment, we are looking to see if we can catch Tottenham or one of the other teams above us."
It will not be easy, though, because Liverpool have looked really good in the last few games. The fact that they have nothing much to play for in the rest of the season has helped with the fact that the handbrakes have come off and some of the free-flowing style that Brendan Rodgers wants to see with his team has been a lot more visible.
Liverpool were ruthless against Newcastle United last weekend, thumping the Magpies 6-0 at St James' Park. In Philippe Coutinho, they have a little gem of a player who seems to have taken to the Premier League quite well.
While Luis Suarez will be missed by any team, Daniel Sturridge has provided the cutting edge for Liverpool, and with the likes of Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson showing good form - not to mention Steven Gerrard who always goes up a level in the Derby games - things are certainly looking up for Liverpool.
The Reds have no new injury worries, with Suarez, of course suspended and Gerrard expected to be fine after coming off against Newcastle with a shoulder problem. It will be a big game for Jamie Carragher, as he plays his final Merseyside Derby before retirement.
Everton expect Darron Gibson to return after the midfielder missed last week's 1-0 win over Fulham, while Phil Neville (knee) is ruled out through injury.
With the pressure off to an extent for both teams, the Merseyside Derby promises to be a high-octane end-to-end affair and a perfect advertisement for the Premier League - or at least one hopes so.
Expected lineups: Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson; Downing, Sturridge, Coutinho.
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Gibson, Osman; Mirallas, Fellaini, Pienaar; Anichebe.
Prediction: 3-2 to Liverpool
