Liverpool Need To Escape Webb At Derby

THE stakes are high and Howard Webb has the tough task of keeping order during the 214th Merseyside derby. No rivalry in English football compares in terms of passion and intensity and that 's reflected in the record-breaking card count. Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, the 36 clashes between the clubs have produced 19 red cards. Ten have been sent for an early bath in the last 11 meetings with Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Steven Pienaar joining the list of shame at Anfield back in February. The game demands a strong man in the middle and Webb is not only the Premier League 's top official but also one of the most highly rated in world football. Blues legend Kevin Sheedy believes Webb is the ideal appointment for a game which both sides desperately need to win to pull away from the drop zone. "It is important that the referee has a good game in the derby," he said. "It isn't an easy game to referee but if he doesn't have a good day then it can become scrappy and very stop-start. "The supporters and players are right up for it and that makes a big difference. There are always a few tasty challenges early on but I am sure a referee of Howard Webb 's experience will recognise that and hopefully he can put in a good performance." Sunday will be the third time the 39-year-old from Rotherham has refereed a Merseyside derby. The first was at Anfield in March 2008 when Fernando Torres ' early strike secured the Reds a 1-0 victory. Webb dished out five yellows to Torres, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Lee Carsley and Steven Pienaar. He was also in charge of the derby at Anfield the following season when Tim Cahill 's late strike earned the Blues a point after Steven Gerrard had broken the deadlock. That game in January 2009 saw Webb book just Pienaar and Mikel Arteta. Webb started out in the Northern Counties East League 17 years ago and in 2000. He stepped up to the Premier League three years later and was appointed as a FIFA official in 2005. In 2009 the former South Yorkshire police offier was given the whistle for the FA Cup final which saw Everton lose 2-1 to Chelsea at Wembley. Earlier this year he became the first referee to take charge of the Champions League final and the World Cup final in the same season. The proudest night of his career came in July when Holland took on Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg. He was the first English referee to take charge of the showpiece occasion since Jack Taylor in 1974. However, his dream turned into a nightmare as a bad-tempered final saw Webb show no fewer than 15 cards – 14 yellows and a red for Everton's Dutch defender John Heitinga. Webb was slammed by Holland coach Bert van Marwijk and his players but earned praise from pundits for the way he tried to control such a testing game. Sunday will be his fifth Premier League match this season and so far he has shown 16 yellows and no reds.