Heitinga adds: “We are confident with our league form. We haven’t lost in the league for nine games and the confidence has come back. Also, if you see the squad now it is benefiting from having players coming back from injury and the quality of training is better than it was before.

“You can feel the level of competition has improved in the squad, everyone is fighting to be in the first 11.”

Since arriving at Goodison for more than £6million on transfer deadline day in September, Heitinga’s versatility has seen him employed in a variety of positions given Everton’s injury list.

Now ensconced at centre-back, he says: “I’ve only been here a few months but I think I’ve played in almost every position in the team already because of the injuries we had.

“I can play in several positions, but playing as a central defender or a defensive midfield player are my two best positions I think.”

New Liverpool signing Maxi Rodriguez was Heitinga’s captain at Atletico last season, but the bond the pair formed at the Vicente Calderon will be left outside Anfield today.

“We are friends but that doesn’t matter in football,” says the Everton man. “Whether it is in the Dutch league or in Madrid last season, when there were a lot of Dutch players for Atletico and Real, when the game starts I want to win.

“It doesn’t matter how. If I have to kick someone because he is going through on goal, I will kick him. I want to win. After the game I will shake hands and go for a drink with them but, in the game, there is only one winner and for me that is Everton.”

And Heitinga’s Liverpool connection doesn’t end there. The Dutchman will marry the sister of former Anfield midfielder Boudewijn Zenden in July, and hopes imminent family ties will sway  support towards the Goodison outfit.

“I spoke to him about the derby and he told me it’s different to any other, not a league game,” says Heitinga. “You just have to win for the fans, it’s their game of the year.

“For the last two weeks after every game fans have been saying ‘you have to beat Liverpool, it’s our game’, so you feel how important it is for everyone.

“What will Bolo say if we win? He’s professional and Liverpool aren’t the only team he’s played for, so I hope he’s supporting me.”