Let's just digress for a moment and have a look at one of the back pages not dominated by the Ryder Cup.

Newcastle are not in action at Stoke until Monday but it seems, according to the Independent,, external it's not a game Magpies boss Alan Pardew can afford to lose.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has said that if the Tyneside outfit are beaten then that Pardew will pay with his job. Although, he has later claimed, through his lawyers, that his comments were "tongue-in-cheek". I'm sure Alan Pardew will see the funny side!!

Over on the BBC Sport Facebook, external page we have been asking you to pick your all-time Merseyside five-a-side team. Here are a few of your selections:

Francis John Herbert:, external Southall (best keeper ever to play for a Merseyside club, fact), Alan Ball (would run all day, you need one super fit player in five-a-side), Alex Young (he didn't run, he floated across the ground, also two-footed and a good goal scorer), Kenny Dalglish (capable of turning any defender that ever lived and a good goal scorer with either foot), Ian Rush (best goal scoring potential in five a side, and fast enough to get back and win the ball... Dixie Dean couldn't use his aerial prowess in five a side so Rushy get's the nod).

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Richard Hampton Whitehouse:, external Southall, Hansen, Gerrard, Alonso, Rush.

Shane Williams:, external Southall, Barnes, Dalglish, Rush, Suarez.

It was on this very day in 1999 that the blue half last left Anfield with three points in their bragging rights bag. Yes, 15 long years.

Everton's matchwinner on that occasion was a certain Kevin Campbell, with his fourth minute strike settling a fiery encounter.

Reds keeper Sander Westerveld and Toffees striker Francis Jeffers were sent off after clashing in the latter stages, while Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also saw red in in the final few minutes.

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Everton fans may just want to look away for a minute as I'm just going to recap on last season's Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The Reds were an irresistible force and basically blew the Toffees off the park with a 4-0 win. Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool the lead with a header, Daniel Sturridge scored two goals in three minutes and Luis Suarez completed the rout.

Everton will be hoping there is no such repeat.

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Liverpool and Everton get the Premier League ball rolling in today's early kick-off and both of them desperately need to get their seasons on track, and quick.

The red half of Merseyside have lost three of their last five top-flight games and any hopes of matching last season's challenge for the title are slowly disappearing before their eyes.

Everton are a point worse off then their local rivals after two defeats, two draws and one solitary win in the league so far.

Both sides will be more desperate than usual for the win and, we may only be early into the season, but the stakes are already high.

Right, let's not mess about. Only meeting your nearest and dearest (not literally speaking) can get the emotions going like they do so we want to know you derby day memories.

Let us know on #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, 81111 on text (UK only), or via the BBC Sport Facebook page, external and Google+ pages., external

It's the first game you looked for when the fixtures came out. The date has been firmly implanted in your head and now it's here.

The nerves, excitement and tension have been building all week and it's all you've been thinking about.

The banter has been flying and the prospect of losing just doesn't bear thinking about. Yes ... it's derby day.

And, in today's Premier League serving, two of English football's classic local rivalries will take place with Liverpool v Everton at 12:45 BST and Arsenal v Tottenham at 17:30 BST. Tasty, very tasty.

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