Rodgers: Vital we retain composure

Even before that pulsating 3-3 draw against Everton, which saw Liverpool surrender the lead twice and fall behind, only to clinch a point with seconds remaining, the manager knew what to expect.

An end-to-end encounter at the home of the Blues in October 2012, his first taste of derby action, ended 2-2 and could very nearly have been won by Luis Suarez in the third minute of injury time.

Both matches were exhilarating for the neutral; however, Rodgers wants Tuesday's 222nd derby clash to be a little less frantic.

And he's calling on his players to retain their focus throughout by blocking out what will doubtless be a raucous Anfield atmosphere.

"From a coaching perspective, you always hope that it will be different," Rodgers told reporters in his pre-match press conference.

"Sometimes the tactical element goes out of the window and the whole atmosphere can dictate that the game goes a different way.

"It's important that you retain your composure in order to play and have that confidence with the ball. That would certainly be a message for the players.

"When you're the home team, you look to really go and attack the game. But it's very important in games like this that you have that tactical discipline as well.

"We expect to win when we're at home, whether it's Everton or any team we play against and tomorrow night will be no different.

"I thought the last derby was another example of the resilience that we've highlighted a number of times this season. We were in front in the game and Everton came back well into the match and then went in front.

"It showed that we are a team that never gives up. We keep fighting right to the end and to get that point showed the real character of our squad."

The last time Everton left Anfield with three points, Kevin Campbell struck an early winner as the Blues held on to clinch a narrow 1-0 win in September 1999.

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Rodgers believes that 15 years without an away win in the derby will not affect the current Everton side, who will make the trip across Stanley Park with a point to prove in tomorrow night's encounter.

"This is two teams going in with confidence and belief in how they work and how they play," said Rodgers. "It's a very important game. If we get the victory it will put us four points clear.

 "It's a game we're really looking forward to. Our home form here over the course of the season has been brilliant. We've won nine, drawn one and lost one. We arrive into the game with really good confidence.

"It's two teams that want to put their stamp on the game in terms of the style of football. But these are games that, in my experience, are frantic with real intensity, but full of quality as well.

"We're at home and we love playing here, with the great support that we have, we'll look to get a victory for sure. I think it's a game that Everton will look to come here and win.

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"It's unfortunate really; both teams are going into the game without their strongest squads because both have picked up unfortunate injuries."

The two Merseyside teams are currently unbeaten in 2014 in all competitions, with Liverpool two places and a point ahead of their neighbours in the Barclays Premier League table.

"It's a run we want to keep going as long as possible," said Rodgers. "There's going to be bumps along the way between now and the end of the season, but it's important that we concentrate on our performance.

"The result, of course, is important. But we just need to ensure that we focus on that performance level, because when we do that, more times than not, we will win games.

"The nature of our game and the quality of our football will dictate that. If we can continue with that consistency, then we're always confident that we can get a result.

"We're a team that has really upped the ante, in terms of our offensive game. If you look at the goals we have scored, it's shown that. It will be a close game with two sets of outstanding players."