Houllier said: "Finishing above Everton is not my target, my target is to get into the top four. Everton can finish third, so long as we finish fourth, it is not a problem. We don't have the same objectives.
"Some of their players have said their whole objective is to finish above us but put it this way, if we finish above them then we've got a much better chance of being in the top four."
"There is more pressure on them than there is on us. There is a lot at stake in a derby game and a lot to play for in this one.
Liverpool fans will be hopeful of victory at Goodison park as Houllier has lost just once in nine derby encounters. The Liverpool manager insists that his players learnt from that sole defeat.
Houllier added: "The only derby we have lost since I arrived was when we lost the plot and had two players sent off. That taught us a lesson and we haven't lost a derby since.
"I put that down to the fact that we have a good response to the physical demands of the derby as well as a lot of composure.
"Derbies are about energy. You need to be mentally strong and tactically shrewd and you must have the bravery to withstand provocation. We are cool, relaxed and looking forward to it.
"The boys relish these kind of situations. It's like a European game, you need nerves of steel as well as quality of play."