'Why the derby means the most to me'

While games against Manchester United and Chelsea evoke great rivalry on and off the pitch, the first-team coach insists nothing can beat the pride at beating your local neighbours on a matchday.

Ahead of today's derby we sat down with Marsh at Melwood as he also reflected on the display from Emre Can at the Macron Stadium, Philippe Coutinho's FA Cup winner and Steven Gerrard notching up 700 Liverpool games.

Below is a full transcript of the interview.

Mike, a dramatic victory at Bolton to say the least, how were the nerves on the bench?

It got a bit edgy towards the end! We equalised late on and then it was great to get the winner so we didn't have to play extra-time. We have had plenty of games in the last couple of weeks, so I think extra-time would have taken its toll, especially with the big game today.

What a week it has been for Philippe Coutinho - celebrating his new contract with a stunning winner - what a way to win a tie...

It was brilliant, especially with it being the last minute, to score a goal as good as that. He is a really good player and it couldn't have fallen to anyone better really. He stuck it in the top corner and it was great for Philippe after signing his new contract. It was great for us as well.

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How important a player is Coutinho to this team and how good can he become in future years?

Time will tell, but I can tell you it won't be for the want of trying. Every time he comes in he is a real hard-worker. He has got top-class quality as well. I think he is a really, really good player and whether he can get to that top level, only time will tell.

The players showed terrific character to come back after a somewhat dubious penalty - what does that tell us about the spirit in this group?

We want to get to Wembley. We were unfortunate last week to lose at Chelsea because we thought we had a good chance in that competition, but unfortunately it wasn't to be. [The FA Cup] is another opportunity for us and we are not willing to let it go easily. You saw how much effort the players put in and that has taken us through to the next round.

Emre Can provided the assist for Raheem Sterling's equaliser - a lot of fans have raved about his display - he is looking the part in a red shirt isn't he...

He is. He has kicked on and played in a number of positions for us. He ended up playing in midfield when Neil Danns got sent off and we pushed him further forward. He put a lovely pass through for Raheem's goal and he has come on in leaps and bounds and is doing really well.

It was also a special night for Steven Gerrard, who made his 700th appearance for the club. That is some milestone, isn't it?

There's not many players around the world who have played 700 games for one club. Carra is 37 games ahead of him and Ian Callaghan is way out with 857. It's a magnificent achievement by Stevie. He's been at this club a long time and to play that amount of games for this club is a fantastic achievement. I'm delighted for him.

Onto today's 224th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park - being a Scouser, what makes these occasions stand out more than others for you?

It's the local pride. If you can come away from the game as winners, there's a real sense of achievement. It's a game I always look forward to. I've been fortunate that when I was growing up we were the dominant force. I've also been on the losing side as a fan and a player and it's a difficult pill to swallow, but we are really looking forward to it.

Some people have said games against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are bigger these days. For you, is the Merseyside derby still the first fixture you look out for?

They are all big fixtures, but obviously this is a fixture where you don't want to come out on the losing side because local pride is at stake. I know it's only three points, but with this game, the difference is there's that little bit more because it's a local derby. It's important we give our fans something to shout about come 7.30pm tonight.

As a player wearing the red shirt you played three times against the Blues. Legends like Alan Hansen said they didn't like playing in the derby, but what was it like for you and do you miss it from a playing point of view?

I always enjoy the derby. I've always enjoyed coming up against Everton from when I was playing in junior games, reserve games, first-team games and a coaching capacity. It's a fixture I really look forward to.

Seven games unbeaten in the Premier League since that defeat at Old Trafford - what do you put that good run down to and how important is it we keep that going come Saturday night?

Hard work. The players have really applied themselves. We had a slight change in formation, but all credit to the players who have worked on the formation and have applied themselves brilliantly in training. They have put that into their performances on the pitch and it has paid off for us.

Steven Gerrard is set to make his final league appearance in a Merseyside derby this weekend - how emotional an occasion will that be for him?

It's just another game for Steven. He has played 700 games now and he is vastly experienced. He knows it's a game we want to win.

You drew 1-1 with the Blues early on in the season when Phil Jagielka scored that incredible late goal - what was the overall feeling like in the dressing room after the game?

It was one of disappointment because it was a game we felt we should have won, given the opportunities and possession we had. Mario Balotelli had a great chance to make it 2-0 when he hit the bar and I think if we had gone 2-0 up, we would have won the game comfortably. But it wasn't to be and Jagielka scored a fantastic goal which you wouldn't expect him to get, so it was two points lost and a game we should have won.

What is the key to winning a Merseyside derby?

You have to keep your heads and play your regular game, keeping 11 players on the pitch if possible. You don't want to get caught up in anything, just concentrate on the football side, get the ball down and play. Everton also do that since Roberto Martinez came in, so it should be an evenly contested game and one we are looking forward to.