Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes keeping Stephen Pienaar quiet will be key to beating Merseyside rivals Everton this weekend.

The Toffees have been in fine form of late and the Welshman reckons the South Africa international is the major threat to Liverpool's hopes of picking up three vital points.

"Everton will provide a much tougher test for us on Saturday than they did at Goodison back in November," Rush told liverpoolfc.tv. "The Blues have got players back from injury and are full of belief after going nine games unbeaten.

"Tim Cahill is finding some form and Landon Donovan has added something to their side, but one player we really have to be wary of is Steven Pienaar.

"He was one of the few players who did well against us at Goodison and he's a class act.

"If we're going to finish fourth it's a game we must win so all the pressure is on us. There is a lot more than just pride at stake and a derby victory would be a massive boost as we look to really kick on."