Liverpool v Everton: Distin teases Reds fans on Twitter

Everton defender Sylvain Distin has mocked Liverpool fans before Sunday's Merseyside derby, claiming they are "begging for a mistake" from him.

Distin was at fault when the teams met in last season's FA Cup semi-final, under-hitting a backpass that allowed Luis Suarez to score at Wembley.

But the Frenchman tweeted on Friday: "My red followers been very quiet this season. I wonder why? Now they beg me for a mistake to make them feel better.

"I am feeling sad for them."

Sixth-placed Everton are five points and one place ahead of Liverpool in the table with three games remaining, and will be guaranteed to finish ahead of their neighbours for a second successive season if they win at Anfield in the Premier League for the first time in 14 years.

In last season's semi-final, Distin's backpass failed to reach Everton keeper Tim Howard and Liverpool striker Suarez was only too happy to take advantage to equalise before Andy Carroll's goal sent the Reds back to Wembley for the final against Chelsea.

But former Manchester City player Distin says he is using last year's Wembley disappointment as a motivation for this weekend's clash.

"It's strange because when people ask me for my highlight of last season I often mention the semi-final," he told Everton's website.

"Some people don't understand why I'd say that, but I learned a lot about myself and my team-mates, the staff here and the fans.

"You see what people really feel. Also you learn a lot about yourself."

Distin has featured in 31 of Everton's 35 top-flight games this season, including a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park last October.

Asked what it would mean to him personally if Everton secured a first Anfield win during his 11-year Goodison reign, Toffees boss David Moyes said: "Nothing personally.

"For Everton - for the team and the supporters - it will mean an awful lot, but personally, it is not an important thing really.

"I'm looking forward to trying to get a result for the supporters."

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he has not found a replacement for long-serving defender Jamie Carragher.

Carragher will play his 30th and final Merseyside derby on Sunday after announcing the end of his playing career.

He will join Reds stars Ian Rush, Bruce Grobbelaar, Alan Hansen, Ian Callaghan and Ronnie Whelan in having played at least 30 times against the Toffees.

But Rodgers says he is yet to identify a replacement for the 35-year-old.

"Jamie has obviously been a colossal player and still is for the club and if you lose someone of that magnitude it can be difficult," said the Northern Irishman.

"The job is to look at other possibilities and move forward. We've looked at some players but there is nothing concrete."