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.
READ MORE: 'I made the wrong decision' - Arne Slot admits Liverpool star should have started vs Newcastle
READ MORE: Arne Slot has three Liverpool dilemmas for Everton after Conor Bradley injury boost
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...
Paul Gorst
Football is belatedly back at Liverpool and the Premier League title charge resumes, with the lead now standing at nine points after Arsenal's win on Tuesday night. So what better time for the Merseyside derby then?
In truth, there are perhaps only two real selection issues for Arne Slot to wrestle and they centre around the right-back position and the No.9 spot. At the back, I am going to keep Jarell Quansah there as Conor Bradley continues to get up to speed after his tentative return to training. Quansah joins Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, a fully-rested and recharged Ryan Gravenberch slots in alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai starts further forward. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott can wait in reserve, if needed.
Up top, Diogo Jota just about gets the nod through the middle. I had toyed with the idea of playing Federico Chiesa as the central frontman but the Italian can wait in the wings. Cody Gakpo returns at left-wing and Mohamed Salah starts on the opposite flank.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota.
Ian Doyle
It's the start of the Premier League season, and what a fixture to kick it off with - the Merseyside derby. Well, at least that's how it feels given it has been approaching three weeks since Liverpool last had a game.
The Reds were 16 points clear the last time they played a league match and now they are nine, albeit with a game in hand. And 16 points is the target over the last nine games to ensure the title goes to Anfield.
What, then, is Liverpool boss Arne Slot to do? There should be changes from the last time they played which might have been in the League Cup final against Newcastle. Can't quite remember as it was so long ago.
Alisson Becker is back in goal. Andy Robertson remains at left-back, and there's no reason to split up the centre-back partnership of Ibrahima Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk. And while Conor Bradley is back in training, Jarell Quansah is the safer bet at right-back for now.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch clearly needs to be treated carefully over the remainder of the season. Curtis Jones can start in his place alongside Alexis Mac Allister in the deeper roles, while Dominik Szoboszlai is the number 10.
Up top, Mohamed Salah is on the right and Cody Gakpo is back on the left. And for this one, Darwin Nunez can go down the centre to annoy Everton.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
Theo Squires
The Premier League title run-in starts here. And having seen Arsenal cut their lead to nine points on Tuesday night, Liverpool really need to return to winning ways at home to Everton, to get those back-to-back losses against PSG and Newcastle two-and-a-half weeks ago out of their system once and for all.
Conor Bradley is back in training, but I’d keep Jarell Quansah at right-back just for this one. With Trent Alexander-Arnold still a number of weeks away from a return, the Reds can’t risk rushing the Northern Irishman back before he is fully ready just to fill the void. Yes, he is a better fit in his natural right-back position. But Liverpool needs him for the entire run-in, not just one game. Besides, Quansah should at least help the Reds more defensively on set-pieces.
Alisson, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch should all be okay to start despite suffering knocks in the international break, so they keep their places. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai can start again too, with Curtis Jones on the bench, with it hoped that the midfield have rediscovered their form in the fortnight since that disappointing League Cup final loss.
Mohamed Salah starts on the right while Cody Gakpo gets a first start since the last Merseyside derby in mid-February after overcoming injury as he returns on the left.
And then it’s the ongoing debate regarding who starts upfront, with none of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz covering themselves in glory in the position this season.
I’m torn between the Portuguese, as a natural centre-forward, and the Colombian, who was at least back in the goals during the international break, with Diaz just about getting the nod. It’s not ideal, but needs must.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
