Rafael Benitez today called on Liverpool's Scouse duo of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to help inspire the Reds to victory in Saturday's 213th Merseyside derby clash with Everton.

VIDEO: Rafa on zonal marking and Cahill>>

The boss believes the pair's determination to secure local bragging rights can rub off on their teammates in what the Spaniard describes as a 'special game'.

"It is important to have passion on the pitch," Benitez told reporters at his pre-match press conference at Melwood.

"Local players know what it means to play against Everton and they can be an inspiration for the other players.

"It is a special game. You see the two sets of fans in the week before, and you'll see more of one than the other in the week after depending on the result."

However, the fixture has seen its fair share of red cards over the years, and Benitez was quick to warn of the dangers of becoming too caught up in the passion.

He said: "The derby is always a difficult game and the passion is there.

"We are well organised and have good players. Sometimes you can lose your temper, but it is important to play with passion and your brain."

Barclays Premier League clashes with Arsenal and Manchester City follow hot on the heels of the Blues' visit, and the manager feels beating David Moyes' side could provide his charges with the perfect boost at the start of a key month.

"It is always important to win against every team, but especially in a derby," he said.

"The main thing is to get three points and to be ready. It would be a good lift for everyone if we could beat Everton before we play against Arsenal.

"We talk about it being a crucial time, and this is a busy period and very important because we have to win some games against teams who are around us.

"Every single win gives confidence to the team. Everton are on a good run, we are on a good run, so it will be tough for both sides, but it is important for us to win and be closer to the top four.

"We are just thinking about this. The only thing we can do now is focus on being in the top four. Everton are doing well, and City, Aston Villa and Tottenham will be in the race.

"It will be a long race and tough until the end of the season.

"It is really important to keep the momentum. We are winning some games and we have to keep doing it."

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With Tottenham Hotspur not entertaining Aston Villa until Saturday teatime, victory over Everton would move Liverpool into the top four for a few hours at least.

"As a manager, you have to guarantee your team will be there," continued the gaffer.

"You have to trust your players and have belief. This game will be very important, and then we have Arsenal and afterwards City. All of the games until the end of the season will be very important.

"Everton are a good team and every game will be tough for us because we have to win almost every one if we want to stay there. Now Everton are the threat, but next week it will be Arsenal and then Manchester City.

"City have two games in hand, Aston Villa have one and Tottenham are ahead (of us), so we have to concentrate on one game at a time.

"It is a special game (against Everton) but after one or two weeks it is just three points. We have to be professional, try to win, and move forward."

Everton are unbeaten in their last nine Barclays Premier League outings since their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Goodison Park in November and head to Anfield on the back of three consecutive league wins.

However, Moyes' men have not won in front of the Kop since 1999, while the Reds lost just two of the 20 league meetings between the two clubs during the Noughties.

Asked what he felt the secret behind Liverpool's impressive derby record was, Benitez replied: "We have a good team and Anfield is always difficult for anyone. In derbies, the atmosphere is really good for us, so maybe that is the reason why."

Everton will look to Tim Cahill to help them obtain a positive result at Anfield.

The Aussie midfielder has netted in each of his last two games and scored a late header to rescue a point for the Blues in the corresponding fixture last season.

Questioned whether he would deploy a man-to-man marker on Cahill at set pieces, Benitez quipped: "When Cahill scored his last goal from a corner, was he zonally marked or was it man-to-man? It was man-to-man, so you have the answer.

"Always with zonal marking you will hear something on TV about it, but you never hear anything about man-to-man."

He added: "Cahill is really good in the air, but there are others who are also good, so you can't be worried about one. Fellaini, Saha and Distin are all good in the air.

"Cahill has very good timing. Everyone knows he is a good player and a fighter, but we will have to be careful of them all."

Benitez also reserved words of praise for his Everton counterpart Moyes, who will celebrate his 600^th match in management on Saturday.

"It is really difficult to be in charge of a club for a long time, especially in modern football, so it's a fantastic achievement" said the Reds boss.

"I have experience in Spain, it is not easy. In England now, it is not easy, but always you have more respect for the managers and that is important.

"He is doing well. Everton have been close to the top four in recent years and that is a good achievement."

Meanwhile, the gaffer was quizzed about reports linking Liverpool with a move for Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

He said: "We were talking because he is a free player at the end of the season. He has had a very good season. We were talking with the agents and we are now just monitoring the situation."