Merseyside derby even more important - Leighton Baines

Baines has scored three goals in 125 appearances for Everton

Everton defender Leighton Baines says Sunday's Merseyside derby with Liverpool has added importance due to their poor starts to the season.

Only goal difference separates the two teams, who are both on six points, with Liverpool in the relegation zone in 18th place and Everton just above them.

"The league table at the moment doesn't make good reading for either club," Baines told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Three points are massive and both sides are looking to climb up."

Everton's last league outing saw them collect their first league victory of the season in a 2-0 win over Birmingham, and Baines hopes his side can keep keep the momentum going.

Tim's proved over a number of years that he's a match winner and he's a massive player for us

Leighton Baines on team-mate Tim Cahill

"It's massive for us to build on the win against Birmingham and we don't want that to peter out now," he said.

"The international break came at a time we didn't want, you want to keep playing. But it's given us plenty of time to prepare for the game and hopefully that will keep us in good stead come the weekend.

"You try not to say things like 'we're in a false position' because you get what you deserve in the end. We've tried to keep playing in the right way and tried to keep doing the right things.

"Hopefully getting the victory against Birmingham will be the turning point and we'll start to get some more points that we have deserved previously."

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has an excellent record of scoring in big games and has netted four times in Merseyside derbies since his move from Milwall in 2004.

And Baines believes players such as Cahill will have a big part to play at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

"Tim's proved over a number of years that he's a match winner and he's a massive player for us," the England international continued. "Tim always seems to be the man on the spot if we need a goal, and he's tended to provide it.

"He's a massive player for us and hopefully he can produce again. We need as many of those big players as possible and hopefully we can have a near-fully fit squad to choose from."