Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park on Saturday for the 208th Merseyside derby.

As Liverpool prepare to make the 1.2 mile journey across Stanley Park to Everton, it is difficult to avoid passionate cliches when constructing a preview for a contest which epitomises a local footballing rivalry.

Families are divided in what is traditionally labelled the 'friendly derby'. Blue meets red as two well-established top-flight sides clash and, with neither club truly dominating head-to-head battles over the years, all the neccesary elements are in place.

But, on the pitch, the meeting is often far from friendly - with 16 red cards in 32 Premier League matches - and it is expected to be as fierce as ever come kick-off in the first match of this weekend's games.

Both sides are eager for the win for different reasons; Everton have yet to record a point at home this season and will consider Liverpool, who could - possibly briefly - return to the top of the table with a victory, as the perfect opponents.

Liverpool shade the bragging rights with 67 league victories over Everton, who have sampled success 55 times, but the Toffees will be keen to bridge the gap with three points and will be in determined mood after slipping out of the Carling Cup to Blackburn in midweek.

Everton boss David Moyes could hand striker Louis Saha his home debut following the Frenchman's summer move from Manchester United and impressive recent displays away from Goodison Park.

Mikel Arteta is expected to return after missing the loss against Blackburn due to a virus.

However, Steven Pienaar is still three weeks away from recovering from a broken toe, and Andy van der Meyde (hamstring) and Lars Jacobsen (shoulder) are also out.

Tony Hibbert has resumed full training following a cruciate ligament injury but is not available to Moyes.

Everton, however, will look to the strengths of midfielder Tim Cahill and striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni - who is likely to play in a lone attacking role - as they bid to improve on their current league position of ninth.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will reinstate captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres to his starting line-up after offering the duo a rest against Crewe in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, although the latter made a 24 minute appearance.

Defender Jamie Carragher should also return, while Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger will contest the second central position.

Full-back Fabio Aurelio is absent with an ankle problem, while Philipp Degen is out for three weeks after cracking ribs against Crewe and Andrea Dossena is expected to come in.

Forward Robbie Keane will hope to continue his hunt for a first goal in red, but his position could be under threat from a midfield reinforcement in the shape of Xabi Alonso as Liverpool look to bounce back from last weekend's draw against Stoke.