Jamie Carragher wants Liverpool to show their city rivals how far they've come since losing at Goodison a year ago.

The Reds lost 2-0 at Everton under Roy Hodgson last season but having undergone major changes on and off the pitch since then, Carragher knows they are in much better shape this time around.

"We were very poor that day and Everton were deserved winners," he said. "They took the game to us, got in front and played very professionally.

"We had a lot of the ball but never looked like getting back in the game. As a team we were struggling back then and that day at Goodison epitomised everything that was wrong about the club and the team.

"We've come a long way on and off the pitch over the past year. It's a very different team and the mood around the place has been transformed.

"Hopefully we can show Everton the difference."

Carragher will play in his 27th Merseyside derby today but he claims the nerves are still the same as his first appearance against the Blues back in February 1998.

"You always get a sick feeling before the derby," he said. "I might have played in a lot of them but I still get that - you can feel it in your stomach.

"It's a game you are terrified of losing but at the same time it's one I look forward to.

"It's more excitement than anything else. You want to play in big games like this. You know what it means to everyone. The difference between winning and losing is so great. Winning the derby is always a massive boost."

Having been born and raised in Liverpool, Carragher is more exposed than most of his teammates to the pleasure and pain that comes with a derby win or defeat.

"It will be a long two weeks if the derby doesn't go your way, especially for players like me who don't play international football any longer," he admitted.

"Both teams will be desperate to get a good result before the break.

"It's vitally important to go into it on a high. If you win a derby normally you can't really enjoy it because you have another game a few days later and you have to focus on that.

"But this time there's a big gap before the next game. That means if it goes well you can enjoy it longer than normal.

"But lose and that feeling of defeat will be there for a while. That makes it even worse for whoever is beaten."

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The Liverpool v Manchester United clash may have surpassed our Mersey rivalry in some people's minds, but for Carragher today's game is as big as it comes.

"When I was a kid I was a Blue and it doesn't matter what side you are on, this is the big one," he said. "Some people say the Man United game but for me, as a local lad, playing Everton is still the biggest game of the season. And playing them away from home is the biggest game of the lot.

"Facing our rivals on their own patch with a packed crowd behind them - all the ingredients are there. Everything is against you and that makes it extra special when you come out on top. Nothing beats the feeling of winning at Goodison."

Liverpool will have a clutch of derby debutants on the Goodison field, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique all taking a step into the unknown.

"People make a lot out of that but I don't think there's any need to speak to the new lads about the derby," Carragher said.

"They have all played in their own derbies. Andy, Jose and Jordan have played in the North East derby, Stewart has played for Villa against Birmingham, Charlie has played in Old Firm games and Luis has played for Ajax against Feyenoord - I'm sure that was some occasion.

"They are no strangers to big games - they know what it's all about. They know all about the history of the club and the history of this fixture.

"They know what an impact Saturday's result will have. They realise how important it is and what it means to the supporters."

The vice-captain added: "The way football is now, you can't go flying around kicking people.

"They used to say you can throw the ball on in the derby after 20 minutes because before then they would be too busy booting each other. But you can't do that now. You want to play with your heart but it's more important to play with your head.

"If you are too pumped up and too caught up in the occasion, you can end up picking up yellow and red cards.

"It's vitally important that we keep 11 men on the pitch. The derby is difficult enough without going a man down.

"Everyone in the squad realises how important this game is and what a victory would mean to the fans."