Liverpool revenge not a priority for Everton - Baines

Baines has scored two goals in 31 appearances for Everton this season

Everton defender Leighton Baines says revenge is not on the Blues' players minds ahead of the 213th Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday.

The Toffees were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Goodison Park in November.

"I don't think there ever needs to be any added spice to a derby and I don't think there is any case for revenge," Baines told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It's going to be a massive game for us and but it's one we're all looking forward to."

He added: "Everyone is just desperate to win. I don't think anyone involved or the fans care about performances.

"It's just the result, that's all that matters in a derby game."

Everton's recent form has resulted in them moving into the top half of the table with five wins and four draws from their last nine games.

With influential players like playmaker Mikel Arteta and defender Phil Jagielka returning to fitness, confidence around the blue half of Merseyide is growing.

David Moyes' side grabbed two 1-1 draws at Anfield last season, in the League and FA Cup, and the left-back believes they they have nothing to fear.

"We got a couple of draws there last year and we played quite well," stated Baines.

We feel our league form is defiantly going to give us a chance of making a late run for a European place

Leighton Baines

"Our form is on the up at the moment and I feel like we're playing with a bit more confidence and we've got players coming back and the squad is getting stronger.

"So everything has been on the up for us over the last few weeks. We had a blip in the FA Cup game against Birmingham, we were below our usual standards.

"But we've come through that again with two more wins and we feel our league form is defiantly going to give us a chance of making a late run for a European place."

Baines says there is a great anticipation from all the players ahead of a battle with Liverpool and he admits the game always requires big characters.

"Derby games are always fantastic," he said. "Big game, big atmosphere and you need big performances to win those games.

"We were slightly disappointed after the last one and the result. But hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and get a result."