Beale: It's time for Samed to shine

The German will be hoping to make a mark against the Reds' fierce rivals from across Stanley Park, in a game you can watch live on LFCTV from 6.30pm BST.

Yesil, who joined the club in August 2012, has plundered three goals in two appearances since battling back from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

He netted twice in the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, before adding his name to the scoresheet once again during a friendly against Fleetwood Town.

"It's the first time for a while I've seen Samed smiling," Beale admitted to Liverpoolfc.com.

"While he has been out injured he's been a big help and a really good elder statesman in the dressing room, helping out the younger lads.

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"That was his big moment at White Hart Lane. We know with Samed, if you give him the service he will score. It's now just a case of how fit he can get himself between now and the end of the season.

"Hopefully he can get a good pre-season under his belt and finally show the people of Liverpool what he can do. During the time he has been with us he has not been able to do that because of injury, which is a shame because he is a talented striker."

With four games to go, the race for the Barclays U21 Premier League title is heating up.

Liverpool are currently in third place and five points behind leaders Manchester United, but have a game in hand.

Beale insists his team has prospered this season by refusing to focus on the league table, instead concentrating on taking things one game at a time.

"Our boys have done ever so well this season," he explained. "The secret to that has actually been not looking too much at the league table and making sure we push the players on to the next challenge.

"That's when players are ready to go to Melwood or go out on loan - we push them on and the younger players who have come into the group have brought with them much energy and desire.

"If you look at the teams that are up near the top of the table with us, like Manchester United, Leicester City and Norwich City, they have been playing older teams. It's only ourselves, Manchester City and Chelsea that are really young."

The mini-derby is always a special fixture to look out for the in the Academy season and, with the game being staged at Goodison Park, it represents a great opportunity for the players to show off their potential at another first-team stadium.

Beale added: "We are looking forward to it. We'll just take each game as it comes and do our best.

"I think it will be everything a derby is in terms of passion, commitment and energy from both teams.

"It's fantastic for us to play the game at Goodison Park and a few people might come to watch that one.

"You want to be playing at first-team stadiums and they are special evenings because that's what the players have been dreaming about all of their lives."

The Blues will start the game second-from-bottom in the table, with David Unsworth's side fighting to escape the bottom two and the threat of relegation.

However, Beale insists Everton are in a false position in the standings and has backed them to get the points they require to remain in the top U21s division.

"Everton are a very good side," he said. "You can be mistaken by league table positions. Everton is one of the toughest games we have played this year, not just because it's a derby - but because they have some very good young players.

"They have sent players out on loan like ourselves and when you do that, results can go for you and against you during that period.

"We've got to make sure we will be at our maximum level on Thursday and continue to show the development we are making."

The last meeting between the two teams was on March 9, when Harry Wilson netted a stunning 93rd-minute winner at Chester's Swansway Stadium.

"I would be lying if we don't look back on that one fondly because I thought we played ever so well," reflected Beale.

"Everton scored a fantastic goal and we then scored from a set-piece, which was pleasing.

"Harry then produced a moment of magic - which he is very proud of - and that's a highlight of the season without a doubt."