Welcome to our live coverage of Liverpool v Everton at Anfield. Kicking-off at 8pm, the final Merseyside derby of the season is shaping up to be another cracker.
The Blues snatched a point the last time the two teams met in February in what was the last fixture ever to be played between the rivals at Goodison Park.
James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser ensured honours ended even at 2-2 and maintained Everton’s unbeaten Premier League run that now stands at nine matches. It is a run that has effectively ensured their survival ahead of the club’s big move to its new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
But for Liverpool there is still everything to play. The leaders need 16 points from their final nine games of the campaign to win the title.
They are overwhelming favourites to do that. However, Arsenal showed they are not throwing in the towel just yet with a 2-1 triumph at home to Fulham last night that meant they closed the gap on Arne Slot’s table-topping side to nine points.
Will the Reds respond with a big victory tonight? Or will the Blues frustrate their neighbours once again?
Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle, Theo Squires, Joe Thomas and Chris Beesley will be at Anfield for us to bring you all the pre-match build-up, including team news when it drops at 6.45pm, followed by an in-game commentary stream and the best post-match reaction and analysis.
The Goodison Park years of the Merseyside derby may now officially be over but the saga continues at Anfield for meeting No.246 between these two historic rivals.
The Reds have generally enjoyed themselves here too, with the Blues having won just once this century – which came four years ago in front of no fans. The last time Everton won here in front of a paying crowd was when Kevin Campbell struck the winner in 1999.
David Moyes has not enjoyed his time here either during his long-serving career as a top flight manager. It’s seven draws and 14 defeats for the Scot.
Welcome very much
A very warm welcome to the latest game in Liverpool’s season – which, given how long ago the last one was, feels like it is also the first one.
Yes, it’s the Premier League and it’s Everton.
And who doesn’t love the Merseyside derby? Well, apart from everybody who has an interest in either team and has been before.
Oh, and there is quite a score for Liverpool to settle after what happened back in February at Goodison.
Let’s do this!
Predicted Liverpool line-ups
Liverpool return to Premier League action tonight after a 17-day break – and what a match it is to come back to. The Reds welcome neighbours Everton to Anfield for the final Merseyside derby of the season (8pm kick-off).
It is a season that seems set to end in a 20th league title for Liverpool, which would move them level with their other biggest rivals, Manchester United.
But there is still work to do before that is achieved. Arsenal are keeping Arne Slot’s side honest. The second-placed Gunners won 2-1 at home to Fulham last night to close the gap on the leaders to nine points.
But the Reds’ destiny remains very much in their own hands.
And victory over an in-form Everton team would not only secure the bragging rights at schools and workplaces across the region come tomorrow morning, but it would also edge Liverpool ever closer to the silverware their supporters crave the most.
So how does Reds boss Arne Slot line-up this evening? Our Liverpool writers have their say…
