Stevie relishing his final Merseyside derby

Steven Gerrard says he is relishing his final Merseyside derby in a Liverpool shirt, as the Reds prepare to take on Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Gerrard has enjoyed some special moments against his local rivals, including a hat-trick in a 3-0 win in 2012.

In fact, only Ian Rush has more goals against Everton than Gerrard (10 in 32 appearances)  over the course of Liverpool’s history.

That has played it’s part in the stick Gerrard has recieved from those rival supporters down the years, and the 34-year-old does not expect their stance to change for his final visit to Goodison Park.

“I doubt it very much,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see on that one.

“I had some stick from an Everton fan yesterday but it is part of my life living in this city.

“I love the banter with Everton fans. It’s what it’s all about. It’s about rivalries and big games of football.

“I’m up for all that. I don’t mind it at all. Bring it on, as far as I’m concerned.

“It will be my last derby and it will be someone else’s turn to be in the spotlight.

“It becomes Jordan Henderson’s problem (as next in line for the captaincy) and Jon Flanagan’s problem (as a local lad) because the Everton fans will soon turn on them.”

“I’ve got respect for all the Everton players and the Everton fans,” Gerrard, who picked that hat-trick and the FA Cup semi-final win at Wembley in 2012 as his derby highlights, told LFC TV.

“I think they’re a terrific football club but, once that whistle goes, I want to beat them. That’s a good problem for me.

“It’s the fixture that I look for at the beginning of the season.

“I love playing against Everton. I’ve got friends and family members who are big Blues and it’s all about the bragging rights in the city.

“I’ll focus on (Saturday’s game) exactly how I have done in the previous derbies I’ve played in.

“It’s a bit different from a normal league game, but I’m looking forward to that one and hopefully I can add to my good derby record.”