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Martinez: We're not going to Anfield feeling inferior

Roberto Martinez is in confident mood as he prepares to take Everton to Anfield for the first time in Tuesday's Merseyside derby.

Matching his bullish demeanour ahead of the games against Manchester United and Arsenal, from which the Blues took four points out of six, the manager acknowledges that his team's performance will need to be perfect but insists the points are more important than local bragging rights.

"A derby [win] can bring an incredible positive feeling that is going to help you for the next six games and that could mean a lot of points," the Spaniard says. "In the same way a defeat could affect you the next two, three games. That's what these derbies can do.

“Beating United at Old Trafford was a big result for us, ... [b]ut, for me, facing Arsenal eye-to-eye at the Emirates and dominating possession the way we did said just as much."

“I think we are capable of going anywhere and beating any team. What we will need on Tuesday night is a combination of those two games. We need to be absolutely perfect."

Martinez admits that Liverpool have been formidable at home this season but says, “we're not going to go to Anfield feeling inferior. We are not going there looking for a damage-limitation performance.”

Tuesday's game obviously has huge connotations for the race for the Champions League, one that increasingly looks as though it will be a battle between four teams for fourth place, but Martinez doesn't want to use Everton's financial disadvantage as an excuse for not realising his and his team's dreams.

“No excuses," he continues. "It doesn't matter that you don't have the finances and resources or not. If you haven't got those then you have to find the patience and the creativity to put a squad together that is strong as the others.”

Quotes or other material sourced from The Telegraph

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