Of the countless feats Steven Gerrard achieved throughout his glittering playing career, few gave him more pleasure than scoring a hat-trick in a Merseyside derby.

"Especially after all the stick I’ve had off Bluenoses over the years!" the legendary former captain told Liverpoolfc.com ahead of Sunday's 229th collision between red and blue.

"It was nice to beat them, beat them comfortably and to bag three and keep the match ball. I can keep that for the rest of my life."

Few Liverpool fans will need reminding that Gerrard's third goal on that March evening in 2012 came courtesy of a typical act of selflessness from Luis Suarez.

And, while Gerrard would relish seeing the Uruguayan's name on the Reds' teamsheet this weekend, he thinks Jürgen Klopp has more than enough firepower at his disposal to claim his fourth-straight derby win.

“Luis put one on a plate for me. He owed me that because I’d put a few on a plate for him so it was a nice moment for Luis and that’s the type of player he is, unselfish," Gerrard said.

“He's a top-class player and I wish he was leading the line for us at the weekend - but I’d still settle for Firmino, Mane and Salah.

“I’m quite looking forward to seeing how Everton handle them three because I wouldn’t want to play against them.”