Nikica Jelavic has been backed to capitalise on Liverpool’s goalkeeping crisis and fire Everton to the FA Cup Final.

Toffees manager David Moyes will have sensed an opportunity in Saturday’s all-Merseyside semi-final at Wembley after watching the shaky performance of Liverpool’s third-choice keeper Brad Jones at Blackburn.

Jones will be between the posts again at the weekend - his first Liverpool start in 16 months - because No.1 keeper Pepe Reina and back-up Alexander Doni are both suspended.

Jelavic is in the form to take advantage of the neighbours' vulnerability - the Croatian has scored five goals in his 10 games since a L5.5million arrival from Rangers in January.

“I think he’s played very well,” said Moyes. “I think he looks hungry. He looks like a centre-forward.

“When you bring a centre-forward in, you want him to score goals and he’s done that.”

Moyes feels Jelavic has given his side the goal threat they have missed for the last couple of seasons.

“I do think he’s made a big difference,” said the Scot. “He’s given everybody the feeling that we can score goals. That was not the feeling at the start of the season.

“We’ve not had a boy like him, like the way he plays, with his style. We’ve needed a good centre-forward and he has given us a real boost.”

Jelavic’s team-mate Johnny Heitinga is impressed by how quickly he has settled at Goodison Park.

“He’s a top striker,” said the Netherlands defender. “He’s settled very quickly. He knows what he can do and uses his strengths to affect the game. He’s been good for us.”