Lucas Leiva admits he has already endured the full range of derby day emotions during his short time with Liverpool - but hopes to be savouring one similar to his very first meeting with Everton come Saturday night.

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The Brazilian midfielder tasted last-gasp joy when he came off the bench to win the penalty that saw the Reds triumph 2-1 at Goodison Park on his league debut back in the 2007-08 season.

However, he suffered one of his lowest moments in a Liverpool shirt when he was sent off in last season's FA Cup replay defeat, leaving him eager to ensure the 213th Merseyside derby ends in a Reds triumph.

"Last season I was sent-off and it was a disappointing moment for me," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "But in my first game I nearly scored the winner - so I  have experienced both feelings. I just hope that I have the same emotion as in my first derby on Saturday.

"They are always difficult games. We expect a tough match and they come into it on the back of a good run.

"You have to prepare like you do for any other game, but we know it is different. It is a derby. Everyone talks about it. Our crowd will be really excited so hopefully we will produce a victory for our fans and keep our momentum."

Back home in Brazil Lucas featured in a number of local derbies.

He admits none were quite like the ones he has played in on Merseyside but insists that the main objective is that Liverpool aid their quest for fourth place by picking up the three points against their neighbours.

"We know it is a massive game for the city and people talk about it all week," he said. "It will be a really important game. We are in a good moment and if we beat Everton it will give us the confidence to keep going.

"As I've said before, every game is like a final for us. We want to be closer to the top four and see what will happen. There are still a lot of games to play. Everton is a derby but it could also be a very important game in helping us get closer."