Switzerland will face Spain, Honduras and Chile during the group stage in the finals, and Hitzfeld acknowledges his team will be better off with the inclusion of a fit and sharp Senderos.

“What are his strengths? First of all his personality,” said the Switzerland coach. “He is a true leader of any team. He is the one who opens his mouth not only during games, but also in training sessions.

“He simply is unable to accept defeats, he cannot lose. He’s very strong in the air, and he knows how to read the game.

“He is a great character both on the pitch and outside. He is not a person, he is personality.”

Saturday’s trip to Anfield kicks off a frantic February for Everton, with Premier League clashes against Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to follow along with both legs of the Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon.

And skipper Phil Neville acknowledges it is the team’s most testing month since his arrival at the club from United in the summer of 2005.

“We couldn’t have asked for a tougher fixture list,” said the 33-year-old. “It’s a fixture list that must get every Evertonian excited. This February will probably be the biggest month since I’ve been at the club because of the magnitude of each game.”