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Trust the fixture planners.

The decision to rearrange the Merseyside derby at Anfield to just a few days before Everton's FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley next month has irked many Blues fans.

If not, as some might suggest, a conspiracy, then it is certainly an inconvenience to have such a high-profile Premier League match so close to the biggest game of Roberto Martinez's reign.

That said, a quirk of fate has meant that, on the same night, the other four teams at present still in the FA Cup also feature.

West Ham United and Manchester United – Everton's potential opponents at the national stadium, who will replay at Upton Park next month – entertain Watford and Crystal Palace respectively, who themselves will face off in the other semi-final.

When it comes to travel and timing, none of the clubs involved appears to hold an advantage or can claim to be more deserving of the extra day's rest that would come from playing their semi-final on Sunday April 24 rather than 24 hours earlier.

But in terms of intensity, the Blues could argue they have been handed the short straw.

However, it's not the first time an Anfield derby has been rearranged so close to an important FA Cup match for Everton.

Not so happy anniversary

In the 2011-12 season, the Blues had progressed to a home FA Cup quarter-final tie against Sunderland.

But four days earlier – and just 24 hours before David Moyes was celebrating 10 years in charge Everton – they were asked to make the short journey across Stanley Park for a Premier League clash.

Liverpool had also made it through to the last eight of the FA Cup.

Yet while Everton had to play their tie at 12.45pm on the Saturday morning, Liverpool's game was at 4pm the following day.

The question was: could the Blues really field an understrength side in a fixture that means so much to their supporters?

The answer, when the teamsheet dropped an hour before kick-off at Anfield, was an emphatic yes.

Moyes dropped six players to the bench from the team that had beaten Tottenham Hotspur three days earlier, with Phil Jagielka making his first start in more than two months and Jack Rodwell also returning from a lengthy injury absence.

But the real surprise was up front where, with in-form Nikica Jelavic among a strong substitutes line-up, Denis Stracqualursi led the line alongside Victor Anichebe.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, though, did the opposite, and instead recalled Scouse duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to his starting line-up.

It would prove a wise move.

Everton were never in it as Gerrard marked his 400th league appearance with a hat-trick, sending the Blues tumbling to a tame 3-0 loss.

What happened next?

Inevitably, the inquests had started even before the final whistle sounded at Anfield.

And the doubters appeared justified when Everton went behind early on to a Phil Bardsley goal against Sunderland four days later.

Tim Cahill – among those on the bench at Liverpool – struck back soon after, but there was a strange lack of energy and cohesion among a supposedly rested Blues side, who were taken to a replay.

But later reflecting on his Anfield team selection, Moyes was unrepentant.

“I made a mistake against Liverpool — I should have rested more players,” he said.

“If I had done that I would probably have got through the first time.

“I didn’t rest enough players in that game and I should have gone with my gut feeling that night and then we probably wouldn’t have needed a replay.”

As it was, a full-strength Everton travelled to the Stadium of Light for the rematch and produced an excellent display to win 2-0 and book their place in the semi-final.

In wait, of course, were Liverpool. And despite taking an early lead at Wembley, Everton ultimately lost 2-1.

Moyes could argue the end justified the means as his side eventually won through their FA Cup tie the season.

But, to some fans, his reputation had been damaged.

Would Roberto Martinez happily rest players for a derby and risk a demoralising defeat just days before a Wembley date?