EVERTON AIM to knock the life out of Liverpool's English Premiership title bid at Goodison Park tonight, three days before the Anfield club's crunch championship meeting with leaders and defending champions Manchester United.

Liverpool manager Roy Evans knows a win will take them level on points with Manchester United and set them up perfectly for the Saturday morning showdown at Anfield. But he is under no illusions about what kind of match is in prospect.

"It will be fast, furious and passionate. All derbies are the same and this will be no exception," he said. "It's a game we feel we have to win, though. We had a poor week last week but came back well on Sunday at Sunderland and we are ready for the derby."

Evans, again likely to leave out striker Stan Collymore but set to recall Republic of Ireland wingback Jason McAteer after a one-match ban, knows Everton would like nothing better than to hinder their title bid.

"They've had a few problems this season and of course they changed their manager," he said. "But in derby games it doesn't matter who's in form and who isn't. Both sides will battle to the end."

It is a view endorsed by Liverpool's 30-goal marksman Robbie Fowler. "Everton have struggled for most of the season but you can guarantee that when they play Liverpool they will pick themselves up and give 100 per cent. That's exactly what we'll have to give as well at Goodison. We have two very big games coming up, one away and one home. We need to win them both."

"We have to stand up and be counted for every game from now on," said Evans. "We must compete and then play our football when we get the chance. Sometimes we get criticised for not looking committed enough, but that is down to our style of play. We don't launch balls forward. We try to play all the time but when things don't go well people look for the crash bang wallop stuff. We are not geared up to do that.

Everton's caretaker player-manager Dave Watson knows that after a difficulty season, a win tonight would give their fans some consolation.

"It is the biggest game of the season for everyone in the city and the result will decide how many people are off work the next morning," said Watson. "But although we know how much of a boost it will give our fans to beat Liverpool, all I am interested in is another three points to get us safe in the Premiership."

Watson, plunged into management after the departure of Joe Royle, said: "Derby games have always meant everything to me and this one is as big as any. I don't think it is possible to build it up any more than it is."

Everton are likely to go into the game with two 17-year-olds. However, Watson is not worried about giving Richard Dunne - a Republic of Ireland youth international - and Michael Ball their first tastes of the special derby atmosphere.

Both impressed in the 1-0 win on Saturday against Tottenham and Watson, who has a string of fitness doubts over Graham Stuart, Claus Thomsen, Terry Phelan and David Unsworth, said: "The two lads did very well against Spurs and I won't think twice about it if I need to use them against Liverpool. I am sure they will both be able to cope."

Watson also denied reports from Italy suggesting Everton are set to sign Roma midfielder Francesco Moriero. "As far as I'm concerned there is no truth in it," he said. "There will be no new signings until a new manager is appointed here at the end of the season."

Middlesbrough must visit Tottenham tomorrow week - just two days after their FA Cup semifinal replay against Chesterfield. The new date for the league-game was agreed yesterday when the police authorities in north London rejected the alternative suggestion of a Friday night kick-off.