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| Liverpool travel to Everton for the 225th Merseyside derby on Sunday |
ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes embattled Liverpool should still be considered favourites for Sunday's (1.30pm) Merseyside derby because of the huge amounts of money they have lavished on signings and insisted the pressure on rival manager Brendan Rodgers was "normal."
Everton are fifth in the Premier League, one point ahead of their neighbours who are ninth, yet the perception is of teams heading in different directions.
Martinez's Everton side are unbeaten in six matches since losing to Manchester City at the end of August, while Liverpool manager Rodgers is under pressure after a stuttering start to the campaign continued with last night's Europa League draw with FC Sion.
Yet Martinez – who has still to win a Merseyside derby – insists the £290million Liverpool boss Rodgers has spent on a squad that is currently underachieving means that his own Everton players should be underdogs.
Martinez's Everton side are unbeaten in six matches since losing to Manchester City at the end of August, while Liverpool manager Rodgers is under pressure after a stuttering start to the campaign continued with last night's Europa League draw with FC Sion.
Yet Martinez – who has still to win a Merseyside derby – insists the £290million Liverpool boss Rodgers has spent on a squad that is currently underachieving means that his own Everton players should be underdogs.
"First and foremost I don't think being favourites or not matters a lot in a derby," he said. "It is what happens in the 90 minutes and what we can create as an atmosphere at Goodison.
"The way we have started and the games we have played clearly we are showing some form," said Martinez. "That could see us as favourites.
"If you look at the amount of money that Liverpool have spent in the last three seasons, then clearly they need to be favourites and carry the expectation.
"The way we have started and the games we have played clearly we are showing some form," said Martinez. "That could see us as favourites.
"If you look at the amount of money that Liverpool have spent in the last three seasons, then clearly they need to be favourites and carry the expectation.
"We know it is a very important game for us.
"I think the pressure is the nature of the game in the league now. We have created so many high expectations in every project. Every season you go into a new campaign, it is something that is normal if you are not winning games.
"If you win a game you are looking forward to the next one, if you don't win a game you are going to be under pressure and that is normal.
"I think the pressure is the nature of the game in the league now. We have created so many high expectations in every project. Every season you go into a new campaign, it is something that is normal if you are not winning games.
"If you win a game you are looking forward to the next one, if you don't win a game you are going to be under pressure and that is normal.
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| Roberto Martinez believes Brendan Rodgers deserves to be feeling the heat |
"From our point of view, it is about how good we can be. How well we can start the game and how well we can use home advantage.
"We respect the opposition and a team with huge investment behind it."
Everton have not won a derby showdown since October 2010 when David Moyes beat a Liverpool team managed by Roy Hodgson and Martinez knows the importance of ending that barren run.
"I know how important it is to get a victory in the derby, it has extra significance, but the only thing that matters is to get three points which would allow you to turn a very, very promising start into an exciting start," said Martinez.
"We respect the opposition and a team with huge investment behind it."
Everton have not won a derby showdown since October 2010 when David Moyes beat a Liverpool team managed by Roy Hodgson and Martinez knows the importance of ending that barren run.
"I know how important it is to get a victory in the derby, it has extra significance, but the only thing that matters is to get three points which would allow you to turn a very, very promising start into an exciting start," said Martinez.
"The derby is a fixture that we want to give our fans a feeling of satisfaction from."
John Stones and Seamus Coleman, who both missed Monday's 3-2 win over West Brom, are facing late tests.
"It is too early to tell they are progressing well and in the next two sessions we will be able to tell. We will make a decision as late as we can," added Martinez.
John Stones and Seamus Coleman, who both missed Monday's 3-2 win over West Brom, are facing late tests.
"It is too early to tell they are progressing well and in the next two sessions we will be able to tell. We will make a decision as late as we can," added Martinez.
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