Image source, Empics

Mario Balotelli steps up to take the free-kick, but bends his effort into the wall. Casual stuff from the Italian.

A fast start from Liverpool, with Adam Lallana skipping past Gareth Barry on the edge of the area and the referee, Martin Atkinson, signals a free-kick before booking the Everton midfielder for his early indiscretion.

We're under way in the 223rd Merseyside derby...

Is it possible for 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to be belted out with even more gusto and feeling than in previous games? Probably not - it's always spot on - but the Liverpool supporters are hitting the right notes this lunchtime.

Image source, Instagram

Mario Balotelli, as you might expect, is bang up for derby day. He of the Manchester derby 'Why always me?' t-shirt, has shown his support for his new club Liverpool by shaving a Liver Bird into the side of his head. If Liverpool do win, let's hope he doesn't singe those nice topiary plants in the background with his customary fireworks display.

We are asking for your derby day memories ahead of the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton and the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham later today.

Fabio's Knife:, external Daniel Sturridge's exquisite first time chip over Tim Howard last year is an under rated derby moment, incredible goal.

Adam Bridle:, external Lincoln v Grimsby Tuesday 9 September. 3-2 Lincoln scored in last minute! Brilliant game!

Paul Cate:, external Derby day in our family as well. Dad is Chelsea blue and I'm a less glory-hunting Villa supporter...

Image source, Getty Images

If history is anything to go by, the Merseyside derby could get pretty bad tempered. There have been 20 red cards shown in Premier League games between Liverpool and Everton.

Image source, PA

Here we go then. It's neighbour against neighbour, blue against red, Liverpool against Everton. Hang on to your hats.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"From my vantage point, the penalty spot at the Kop end where 30 of the 31 spot-kicks were taken during Liverpool's Capital One Cup win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday is definitely looking a lot more tired than the one at the opposite end of the pitch where Boro striker Patrick Bamford fired home the penalty that forced that famous shoot-out. A fresh dab of paint might not be a bad idea.

"Liverpool supporters have probably seen enough penalties here for one week and, in any case, Everton fans are probably not holding out much hope of adding to that remarkable penalty tally today - the Toffees have only had one penalty awarded at Anfield since 1937, and none since Wayne Clarke scored from the spot here in 1988."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BT Sport: "Derby games are special, but for us it's about getting back to playing well and showing creativity going forward while also concentrating a bit more at set-pieces. Yesterday, Daniel Sturridge couldn't train, so we'll see how he goes in the next couple of days. We haven't got going yet and when we won the derby game last season it was the beginning of a good run, so we hope the same happens."

Dion Dublin
BBC Football Focus

"Everton's defence has not been good enough. Sylvain Distin has not been there, and he's the rock, the voice and the leader back there. Phil Jagielka has inherited that crown. The defence are not quite there and Everton are leaking ridiculous goals, the kind you wouldn't expect of them."

BBC Radio 5 live

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft speaking on BBC Radio 5 live: "There's definitely been a lack of energy about Everton in latter half of games this season. They've looked very ragged. Arsenal equalised late against them and Chelsea just kept on scoring. Tim Howard, Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka are all getting on while Leighton Baines is approaching 30. At some point Roberto Martinez was always going to have address the problem of renewing the defence."

Image source, Getty Images

If Adam Lallana bags one today, he might be forgiven for feeling a little bit awkward. That's because he grew up supporting the blue half of Merseyside.

"Yes, it's true, I was an Everton fan," Lallana said., external "Growing up my dad used to support Everton in the Gary Lineker days, when they were doing well so that's the reason I started following them. But when I was supporting them Everton always seemed to be fighting relegation. I seem to remember there were a lot of tears!"

But will he shed a tear for the Toffees this afternoon? Probably not...

Daniel George Broda:, external No Luis Suarez, no fear.

Liam Stones:, external Mario Balotelli is a man for a big game! They certainly don't come much bigger than the Merseyside derby.

BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Anfield

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers uses his programme notes to pledge his new-look side will improve on their stuttering form, but also asks Reds fans to have patience while they find their feet at Anfield.

Liverpool's last home league game saw them beaten by Aston Villa and, since then, on home soil they have squeezed past Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League and famously needed 30 penalties to see off Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup.

"You have stuck with us during this testing start to the season and it is vital you remain on board as you have always done," writes Rodgers. "In our two previous games at Anfield you have made a big difference and with it being a Merseyside derby I do not need to tell you the importance of your role today."

Image source, Getty Images

Fanzine, anyone? The world might be all about social media these days, but there's nothing quite like a good leaf through the programme/matchday magazine/fanzine, is there?

Thanks Mandeep. How are you feeling, Liverpool and Everton fans? Have you gone through your final derby-day rituals?

Did you eat your bacon before your eggs? Perhaps you're wearing your lucky socks/hat/underpants? Have you walked the same route to the ground that last brought your team success in this fixture?

It's been emotional but now it's time to handover to the lovely Marc Higginson. Thanks and enjoy the footie this afternoon.

William Byers:, external Sitting in the Kop when Luis Garcia heads in after a thirty yard shot from Fernando Morientes hit the bar was special.

Richard H:, external Rooney v Man City. We all know what goal I'm talking about!

Paul Woodhouse:, external The shinned one? Lol!

Dion Dublin
BBC Football Focus

"As you get older, your speed of thought is still there but trying to execute what you want takes longer. Opponents are nullifying how Steven Gerrard can affect games, and he's finding it hard. But he's still vital for Liverpool and will have an influence on today's game."