Brendan Rodgers admits it will be hard for him not to take in Everton's clash with Manchester City this afternoon - but insists his only focus for the weekend will be on Liverpool beating Crystal Palace on Monday.

Everton could aid the Reds' push for success in the Barclays Premier League by taking points from Manuel Pellegrini's side in the day's late kick-off at Goodison Park.

City currently sit three points behind Liverpool in the standings, with the Manchester outfit retaining a game in hand and holding a marginally better goal difference.

As a result, all eyes will turn across Stanley Park in the hope that Everton can produce in what promises to be a fascinating encounter - and Rodgers admits he will be keeping tabs on developments as they unfold.

"I probably will watch it," the manager told his pre-Palace press conference at Melwood on Friday afternoon. "I'm not one of these people who say, 'I'll be on the golf course!'

"I love football and I watch every type of game in every country, so I'm sure I'll be watching it somewhere.

"Everton have their own reasons to do their own job. They won't need many more supporters than the supporters they have. Everyone will be looking at the game and I'm sure Everton will go and play extremely well and look to get the result that they want."

Regardless of today's result at the home of the Blues, Rodgers and his players know they face a stern test of their own when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday evening.

Tony Pulis' side have guaranteed their Premier League status in recent months by picking up points solidly and rising to 11th place in the table as a result, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

Prior to defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday, the Eagles had soared to five consecutive victories in the league, springing surprise results against both Chelsea and Everton along the way.

"We still have to do our job," continued Rodgers. "Of course the Everton v Manchester City game is a tough game for both teams and obviously for City, who have found it difficult going there [to Goodison] for the last number of years.

"So I think they know as well as anyone it will be a difficult game. But for us, the focus is on ourselves, because we can't rely on anyone. We have to do our own job. Our job is to get three points at Crystal Palace. Anything other than that isn't worth worrying about."

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