Everton legend Kevin Ratcliffe is adamant the Toffees cannot be written off when they face two trips to Anfield.The league clash on January 19 followed by the FA Cup fourth-round showdown on the weekend of the 24th are being viewed by many in the context of how the results will effect Liverpool's quest for a possible double.
But Ratcliffe believes Everton can throw a spanner in the works as far as Liverpool's expected march to glory is concerned.
And there is a feeling of deja vu from the former Wales and Everton skipper, who recalls feeling as if Everton "were just there to make up the numbers" 20 years ago when the clubs clashed in the Cup Final at Wembley in 1989, the year of the Hillsborough disaster.
Ratcliffe said: "I do not think home advantage will count for much, and Everton will have a lot of fans at Anfield for the cup tie.
"I certainly felt as if Everton were just there to make up the numbers at that cup final after Hillsborough. We lost and everyone seemed to believe it was Liverpool's destiny.
"You can sense that again now. But Everton will want to win both the games later this month.
"They certainly won't want to lose the league game having already lost to Liverpool at Goodison Park this season, they'll want some revenge for that.
"And they will want to win the cup tie because they obviously have more chance of winning the cup than they have the league.
"They have done superbly to get themselves into the top six without a recognised striker fit. And you certainly cannot write off Everton in either of these two upcoming derbies."
Ratcliffe has bittersweet memories of his clashes with Liverpool over the years with the cup finals of '86 and '89 two of the standout games.
He said: "You always remember the derbies you win more than others, so in some ways the two finals were instantly forgettable because we lost them both.
"But they were still both great occasions, and the second one will always be remembered because it was so soon after Hillsborough."
He added: "But for me the three Cup ties in '91 were the most memorable. After a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the fifth round we then had that memorable 4-4 draw at Goodison.
"That was the game that saw Kenny Dalglish resign afterwards, and maybe the tie swung our way then because we won the second replay 1-0.
"That replay was the last time the clubs met in the FA Cup, 18 years ago. And Everton will fancy their chances of getting to the fifth round even if they have to play this season's tie at Anfield.
"It will be hard for either side to win them both, and you would probably find that Liverpool would rather win the league game while Everton would settle for cup success.
"Either way, they are going to be two very exciting matches and obviously watching them will bring back a few memories for a lot of the old players from both sides."
The clubs have played each other in 20 previous FA Cup ties, Liverpool winning nine, Everton six with five draws.
And Liverpool have lost only two of nine league derbies during boss Rafael Benitez's reign, while Everton manager
"The Chosen One" has failed to win at Anfield in six previous attempts.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the last time we lost to them was the 0-3 scoreline one. We actually have a chance to beat them in both games but lets take it one game at a time staring with Stoke
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