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Gerrard warns Liverpool to keep their heads

Steven Gerrard is eyeing another match-winning performance for Liverpool against Everton © Getty Images

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• Profile: Steven Gerrard

In what is a huge weekend for Merseyside, Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final with Everton is live on ESPN this Saturday. Click here for details on how you can tune in to the exclusive coverage

Steven Gerrard has ordered his Liverpool colleagues to keep cool in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Everton.

With little other than pride left to play for in the Premier League, the weekend's Wembley showdown represents Liverpool's last chance to keep their season alive. Playing not only for a place in the FA Cup final but also local bragging rights, pulses are sure to be racing in both dressing rooms prior to kick-off.

Liverpool's discipline has been far from exemplary this season, most notably with Luis Suarez forced to serve a cumulative nine-match ban for two separate offences. More recently the Reds lost their top two goalkeepers to red cards, with Pepe Reina dismissed for a headbutt.

Gerrard is determined to ensure his team do not give themselves a mountain to climb on Saturday, and he is prepared to lead by example in order to keep 11 men on then field.

"It's my responsibility and that of the other experienced lads in the dressing room to help the younger lads that are going to be involved," Gerrard said on Liverpool's official website. "It's important that we don't get too fired up and lose a man. We will be aware of that."

Gerrard insists the fact that Everton currently lead the Reds in the league will have no impact on the weekend's encounter. "I don't think the league position's got anything to do with this game and I don't think you need motivation going into a local derby at Wembley in front of 92,000 in an FA Cup semi-final," he said.

"That's the motivation. I don't think any player on the pitch will be thinking about league position once the game starts. The thinking will be: 'What can we do on this pitch to get into the final?'

"FA Cup semi-finals are very big at the best of times but when you are playing your local rivals there's an extra bit of spice involved and it makes it that bit bigger."

The Liverpool skipper scored a hat-trick as the Reds ran out easy winners in a recent league meeting, and Gerrard has a history of producing his best moments in the biggest games. He is eyeing another big performance at Wembley, but he has challenged his team-mates to write their own headlines.

"I think it's happened a lot of times: big players have had a big impact on big games," said Gerrard. "But anyone can be the hero on the day.

"It's one of those occasions that's set up so well for heroes. Big games, big heroes and let's hope they're in red shirts."

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