That becomes a bigger problem
when you are up against a strike partnership as dangerous as Liverpool's
Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
Further up the pitch, Barkley will be a big miss for Roberto Martinez's side if he does not recover from his fractured toe.
Barkley is a local lad, so he understands what this game means - but he is also fearless, which he showed with his brilliant performance in that 3-3 draw in November.
If he is fit, he will play in the space between Liverpool's defence and midfield and it will be great to see Gerrard try to stop him. If he is not playing, the Liverpool captain's life will be a lot easier.
The Reds have their own injury concerns, though, because they are also missing some defenders and they are not the same team without the injured Daniel Agger at the back.
So I am looking forward to seeing how they deal with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, particularly at set-pieces where we have seen Martin Skrtel grabbing opponents to try to stop them on several occasions this season.
It is so obvious that I have been wondering when referees will start picking up on it - and it might be in the derby that Martin Atkinson decides enough is enough.
The game itself will be a battle of possession and it will come down to who has the better players in the final third.
Lukaku is a big threat but I have got to go for Liverpool with Suarez and Sturridge, especially with them at home.
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