Everton travel to Liverpool for the 228th Merseyside derby on Saturday, with the Toffees searching for their first win at Anfield since 1999.

Ronald Koeman’s men have been in sensational form since the turn of the year, with their seven wins and two draws from ten Premier League matches thrusting them into the mix for a European spot this season.

The Toffees are level on points with Arsenal in sixth and just six points behind their Merseyside rivals in fourth, so they know exactly how important Saturday’s derby is, not just in terms of local bragging rights, but because victory would keep them in with a faint chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

However, it won’t be easy against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who won the meeting between the two sides back in November thanks to Sadio Mane’s last-gasp strike.

Although things haven’t been plain sailing since then (the Reds have seen their title challenge come to an end), they have won three of their last five matches, and picked up a credible 1-1 draw away at Manchester City prior to the international break.

Nonetheless, Koeman’s Everton will fancy themselves to continue their fine run by getting the three points at Anfield, although the Dutchman may have to make a few changes to his side ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Thus, here are THREE Everton players who deserve a chance in this weekend’s Merseyside derby…

Mason Holgate

Seamus Coleman looks set for a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a horrific broken leg on international duty with the Republic of Ireland last week.

And that means that Koeman is going to have to plug a huge gap vacated by one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders.

Phil Jagielka may deputise at right-back, which means that 20-year-old Mason Holgate could return to the starting eleven at centre-half on Saturday.

The England Under-21 star has started seven Premier League games this term and frequently impressed, and he may get another chance to showcase his talent at Anfield this weekend.

Gareth Barry

Former England midfielder Gareth Barry replaced the injured Morgan Schneiderlin in their 4-0 success over Hull prior to the international break, and is the likely replacement should the Frenchman remain unavailable.

The 36-year-old has started 21 of the Toffees’ 29 Premier League games this term, and has once again shown his class with controlling and ultimately impressive displays in Koeman’s midfield.

At 36, Barry’s best days are obviously behind him, but he can still do a job in the middle, and could be the experienced head that Everton need in their battle to win at Anfield for the first time since 1999.

Enner Valencia

Enner Valencia came off the bench to net the crucial second goal in Everton’s 4-0 win over Hull last time out, and that could be enough to see him get a fourth Premier League start of the season on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, on loan from West Ham, has scored three goals and laid on one assist in 15 league appearances this term, of which two goals and that solitary assist have come in his last 22 minutes of action for the Toffees.

He hasn’t started a league game since December 30, but Koeman might just give him the nod at Anfield this weekend.