Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet says he is relishing the chance to play against Everton in their Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday.

The Belgium shot-stopper has a good record in Merseyside derbies since joining the Reds, having only conceded one goal with the club, taking seven of nine points in the last three encounters.

The Reds will host the Toffees for the 228th time, with only six points currently separating the fourth-placed Reds and the Blues, who sit seventh in the Premier League standings.

The 29-year-old admits that the derbies are always special, but insists he is looking forward to adding his record against the Toffees.

‘It is pretty special. In the time I’ve been here, we’ve always had great results against Everton at home. The fans are up for it. It’s always a big fixture to look forward to. On the day itself, it’s nice to be part of it,’ Mignolet told the Liverpool website.

‘It’s always a bit hostile, but like in any other derby game that’s something you relish – two groups of fans who are cheering their team on.

‘It’s a bit special, of course, in Liverpool because in some families you have got both Everton and Liverpool supporters.’

Mignolet says that although there might not be any real animosity between the two clubs, he insists that the Reds will go all out to walk away with all three points to help them secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

‘Although it’s a derby, I don’t think there is so much hatred between the two clubs. Everybody wants to win and everybody is cheering their team on, but it’s still in a fair way,’ he added.

Liverpool will welcome Everton to Anfield when the Premier League returns on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 13:30.