IT’S SAFE to say that the coming weeks are going to be huge for both Everton and Liverpool football clubs.

The Reds – with most observers chuckling knowingly at Rafael Benitez’s protest about Sir Alex Ferguson, and subsequent insistence that the pressure isn’t getting to him – are obviously desperate to preserve their steadily evaporating lead over Manchester United.

The Blues on the other hand are aware that their somewhat more modest ambitions could also be shaped by what happens in the next few matches.

In all honesty though, while both teams would love to triumph in each of the upcoming derbies, the league game will be Liverpool’s priority, while Evertonians would by and large prefer to see us through to the next round of the FA Cup.

To those on the outside at least, the financial uncertainties at Anfield give the impression that the whole set-up over there is something of a house of cards.

They would never admit it, but there’s a real feeling that after getting themselves into such a strong position in the league it’s almost a case of now-or-never in terms of actually winning the title.

Slipping up against us then, after their dismal showing against Stoke City, is almost unthinkable for them. And while we would be only too happy to dent their title ambitions, we can still afford to drop points in the derby, and Old Trafford for that matter, and keep pushing for a UEFA Cup spot.

After all, the teams we are competing for in terms of European qualification are unlikely to take anything from their fixtures away at Liverpool and Manchester United.

The FA Cup is a different matter altogether though, given that it represents our only chance of silverware this season, and with more than 6,000 Evertonians in attendance it is the more keenly-awaited of the two games. Not that David Moyes is liable to rest any players for the league match; he couldn’t if he wanted to.