Skrtel: Let's go and win this for Gerrard
Martin Skrtel has issued a rallying cry to his Liverpool teammates ahead of Steven Gerrard's last Barclays Premier League encounter against the club's bitter rivals Everton.
Unless the Reds and Blues meet in the Europa League before the end of the current campaign, today's showdown at Goodison Park will be the captain's 33rd and final Merseyside derby.
Gerrard has provided many a memory on derby day down the years - not to mention 10 goals against Liverpool's neighbours - and Skrtel wants the team to ensure today's encounter ends in success for the skipper.
"This derby will be special for Stevie, especially with it being his last [league] one, and we want to try and win it for him," Skrtel told Liverpoolfc.com. "We want to make it a special derby and get the three points for him and our fans."
Since appearing on the winning side on his derby debut in March 2008, Skrtel, who could face the Blues for a 17th time today, has steadily learned just how important the match is to both halves of the city.
"It's a massive game and it's one of the biggest games for us," he explained. "Whenever we play against Everton it's something special for the players, the fans and for the whole city.
"They might have had a difficult season but in the derby games it is different. It's always tough and the atmosphere is great and, to be honest, you can't hear every word that's said on the pitch because it is so loud. But as players we like it and I really enjoy the atmosphere.
"Every single player has confidence at the minute because we are doing well. We will go to Goodison Park with our confidence high and we want to make our supporters happy come the end of the game."
Brendan Rodgers' charges travel across Stanley Park boosted by the return of Daniel Sturridge, after the No.15 notched two substitute appearances against West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers.
Whether the England frontman starts against the Blues is a choice for Rodgers and his medical staff - but Skrtel insists even Sturridge's mere presence in the squad can have an effect.
He added: "It's great to have him back because Daniel is a great young player for us and we are happy he is back with us.
"He is back on the pitch and as we saw last week against West Ham, he scores goals for us and that is his job. It's a real boost for everyone at the club to have him back."