“We’ve worked hard to turn it round and we’ve still got a lot of players coming back from injury who are going to find it hard to get in the team.”

Although Liverpool’s problems this season have been well documented, Cahill admits Everton’s neighbours cannot be underestimated.

“We’re not really thinking about them, what’s happened to them on and off the park,” said the Australian.

“They’re still a very good team with great players. They haven’t become bad overnight. Sometimes things just don’t work for you.

“We had that difficult patch earlier in the season, but I think they will come through it.

“I’m very passionate about Everton, I wear this jersey with a lot of pride and I know what this game means to people in the area. I try to take that on to the pitch with me. It’s a great game to play in.”

Cahill’s goal was his second of the week after setting Everton on their way to victory against Sunderland in midweek, and drew the praise of his manager.

“He’s got it in the locker,” said Moyes. “He’s always been good at scoring important goals at Everton. And it was an important goal. He sometimes gets you the winning goal in games. It’s okay scoring a couple when you’re winning 4-0. It’s the people who get you the goal in a 1-0 win in a tight game. Those people are vital to you and Tim has been that to us.”