Frank Lampard wants to preserve Everton’s Merseyside derby rivalry.
Sunday’s Anfield encounter against Liverpool will be the 206th top-flight meeting between the city’s two clubs and their 240th in all competitions.
But the Blues will find themselves in the Premier League’s relegation zone before facing off across Stanley Park should Burnley avoid defeat to Wolves.
It marks a sea change from 14 months previous, when they emerged from Anfield victorious for a first time in 22 years under Carlo Ancelotti’s tutelage.
Lampard is under no illusions about the significance of his side contuining their biannual meetings with Jurgen Klopp’s side beyond this season.
He said: “I understand it.
“I have friends who are Evertonians and there are people I bump into. I bumped into a nice lady in London a couple of weeks ago who was an Evertonian.
“It was in a place I didn’t expect to see an Evertonian. It was on the Kings Road. We had a day or two off after the Manchester United game and I was having lunch with my wife and the lady came over.
“It isn’t just a one-off; it happens all the time since I got the job.
“Evertonians have come out of everywhere, so while that has not been a reminder, I am aware of the size of this club, it does makes you proud.
“It is a club steeped in history, that families and generations adore, and I understand what a win will mean for them.
“It is twofold for me. Firstly it is obviously the points. The points are so crucial for us.
“If we were sitting in eighth or 10th I could think about what this might mean, I could walk through the blue half of the city and it would be great the next day.
“But at the moment I am just thinking about the points. It would be a great feeling to be able to give the fans that moment.
“There was Carlo’s win last season but we haven’t had enough of those.”