Kenny Dalglish is unable to call upon the inspirational Gerrard as he seeks his first win since being reappointed as Liverpool manager in the much-anticipated 215th Merseyside derby at Anfield. Gerrard is suspended following his sending off in last week's defeat at Manchester United, a ban which has already proved costly with the Reds suffering another Premier League loss at Blackpool in midweek. Moyes is well aware of Gerrard's importance to Liverpool but is again without his own talisman in Cahill, Everton's top scorer this season, due to the Australian's involvement in the Asian Cup. Moyes said: "Of course I am pleased Gerrard isn't playing. Who wouldn't be? He is an outstanding player. "I have always said if I could have got Steven Gerrard in the team, he would probably have been one of my first picks. "I am delighted - but we'll also miss Tim Cahill. "Tim's nine goals - it's hard not to have someone like that in the Premier League." Everton have so far fared well without Cahill, who is not expected to return until next month, having claimed a thrilling win over title contenders Tottenham and crushed Scunthorpe 5-1 in the FA Cup. After winning just one of the 10 games prior to last week's back-to-back successes, Moyes now hopes his side are on the rise. He said: "I think we have played much better. "We played really well against Tottenham and we got a good result in the cup so we go there in good fettle. "It is always hard enough at Anfield, it is hard for most clubs. "Tim's a miss but someone else can come through. "We stepped up against Tottenham without Tim and we scored five at Scunthorpe. "Louis Saha's performances have been very good in the two games, Jermaine Beckford has had a chance to show what he can do." Aside from Cahill, England defender Phil Jagielka is Everton's only other major absentee because of a thigh strain. Steven Pienaar could be in contention despite Moyes revealing the club had accepted an offer for the midfielder. The 28-year-old South Africa international is out of contract at the end of the season and, with a new deal having been rejected, Everton are prepared to sell now. Moyes said: "We have had two offers and one of those offers has been accepted. "We have allowed his representatives to speak to the other club." Tottenham and Chelsea have been linked but the managers of both clubs have played the suggestions down.
