Everton manager Sam Allardyce has suggested that the timing of this weekend's Merseyside derby could work to his side's advantage.

Local rivals Liverpool were in Champions League action against Manchester City in midweek and face them again in next week's return leg, and the Blues boss said that the demands this places on Jurgen Klopp and his squad could be exploited at Goodison Park on Saturday.

"It's an advantage we could possibly take. It's a good time to play a derby for us in between the two Champions League games. But Jurgen has a very strong squad and they haven't let him down all season. If he changes his squad it will still be strong... and fresh," Allardyce told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"The players can do it if they really believe it. I know how to do it and the players have to know how to do it. We have to stand on the front foot, be brave and be clinical if we get an opportunity."

Everton have not beaten their city rivals in the last 16 Merseyside derbies.