Everton usually make life tough for Liverpool when their neighbours cross Stanley Park, but tomorrow's derby crunch will have a little extra spark about it.
This is the first time the Merseyside rivals have clashed since Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's "small club" jibe at the Goodison Park outfit, and Everton fans will be preparing a special welcome for the Spaniard.
Everton veteran Alan Stubbs has already stoked the fires by saying recently: "We do not see ourselves as a small club, not at all.
"If they feel they are that much bigger than us, they should have been getting better results - like winning the league.
"When you spend that much money, £40-50million, you would expect to be closer than they have been. That is what Liverpool fans would say if you asked them. We beat them 3-0 last season, and you do not get a result like that by luck."
And Stubbs believes Liverpool have no chance of ending their 17 years without the title this season, insisting Manchester United will win the Barclays Premier League again.
He said: "I do think United will win it and Arsenal will be the serious challengers this year."
Everton will be without striker Andrew Johnson, who has had an ankle operation and will be out for another three weeks.
Long-term injured trio Tim Cahill (broken metatarsal), Thomas Gravesen (knee) and James Vaughan (shoulder) have all been back in training this week but are unlikely to be in contention for the 206th derby battle.
Providing that none of Everton's internationals return from duty with their countries carrying injuries, they will field very much the side that did so well to win their UEFA Cup tie against Metalist Kharkiv in Ukraine.
Everton have also moved 'home' this week, leaving their Bellefield training ground after 60 years and relocating to their new complex at Finch Farm, Halewood.
Stubbs said: "There was so much history at Bellefield and I will miss it. I used to hang around at the gates for autographs as a kid, so it was surreal when I was stopped for mine.
"It is sad there will not be any more kids there but I understand the game has moved on an awful lot and the new facilities are fantastic.
"Bellefield was very limited in space. This new place has a yoga room, video room, hot and cold Jacuzzis, three physio rooms - everything that people think you need for the modern game."
