Marsh: This is massive
Mike Marsh insists Liverpool will not be worrying about the prospect of tiredness following the international break when they aim to go back to the top of the Premier League with victory over local rivals Everton on Saturday.
Three points at Goodison Park would see Brendan Rodgers' men return to the summit of the table for a few hours at least, with current first-place occupants Arsenal in action the following day.
Marsh believes it will provide the necessary motivation for the Reds to continue their excellent progress this season.
"It's a massive incentive for us," the first-team coach told Liverpoolfc.com. "We've had some funny kick-off times of late and not that many traditional 3pm games, so we are getting used to it.
"It's a big incentive for us to go and win the game and it's a lot more enjoyable sitting watching the fixtures come in at 5pm knowing you are top of the table, so it's a great incentive for the players.
"There is a lot at stake fortunately for both teams and it's nice to see the two teams up there and challenging at the moment."
Having tasted derby success as a player, Marsh insists the key to prevailing rests on one or two small details- and he's hoping the likes of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge can provide a moment of quality needed in such a tightly contested game.
He added: "There's a lot of luck involved. Everyone puts everything on the line and sometimes it's a bit of good fortune or a little bit of class from one of the top players.
"Fortunately enough we've got two or three good players in our team who can provide that, so hopefully come Saturday one of them will produce.
"Everton have been very good this season. They have only lost one game in the league away at Manchester City so we know we are going to be in for a tough game.
"They are in a transitional period and have changed their style of play to pretty much like ourselves, but we are well prepared for it and looking forward to it."
Romelu Lukaku has been a big presence in attack for Roberto Martinez's side so far this season.
The forward gave Liverpool's defence plenty of problems during his loan spell with West Bromwich Albion last season, and Marsh insists lessons have been learned as to how to deal with the threat of the Belgium international on Saturday.
He said: "He's tough. We came up against him a couple of times last year and he gave us a bit of a tough time.
"On his day he's a handful for anyone with his size and his power, but I think we've learned from that experience and we'll be better for it."
Meanwhile, there was time for Marsh to reflect on the 23rd anniversary of Liverpool's famous European comeback against Auxerre when he scored his first goal in a red shirt back in November 1991.
He added: "Time has flown, hasn't it? I didn't realise it was 23 years ago to be fair, but the way I look at it, it is just a reminder that we are out of European competition, so it would be nice if we could end the season qualifying for Europe."