Anfield will play host to the 246th Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night as the Premier League leaders Liverpool get set to host a resurgent Everton side.
The international break came at a good time for The Reds after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, before losing the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United just five days later.
The Premier League is now Liverpool's sole chance of silverware this season, but with a 12-point lead atop the table with just nine games remaining, they are in pole position to secure what would be their second top-flight title in 35 years.
As for the visitors, they have been a team transformed since David Moyes' return as manager in January. They are currently riding a nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League - their longest run since 2017 - and have consequently steered themselves well away from the ensuing relegation battle below them.
Everton will be looking to continue their rich vein of form and spring what would be a huge upset on their fierce rivals, although they have only managed one win at Anfield since 1999.
The two sides met just seven weeks ago when a memorable 98th-minute equaliser from James Tarkowski earned The Toffees an unlikely point in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Team News
Liverpool
Right-back Conor Bradley has been sidelined since Liverpool's draw with Aston Villa in February due to a hamstring injury, and was not expected to be ready in time for Wednesday night's game. However, Arne Slot has confirmed that the Northern Irishman is back in training, and that he will make a late decision regarding his availability against Everton.
It is a big boost for The Reds who are currently very short on options at right-back, with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez sidelined with injuries.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson withdrew from international duty last week with the Netherlands and Brazil respectively, but their injuries are not thought to be serious and they are therefore expected to be in line to feature on Wednesday night.
Everton
Moyes is finally starting to get players back from injury with both Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil back in first-team training, although the clash with Liverpool may still come a little too early for their return to action.
Armando Broja made his return from an ankle injury during Everton's 1-1 draw with West Ham before the international break and managed to play in both of Albania's World Cup Qualifiers against England and Andorra, meaning he will offer some competition to Beto to lead the line for Everton against Liverpool.
It also means that Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Vitalii Mykolenko are now the only two players absent from the Everton squad through injury.
Likely Lineups
Liverpool
Alisson: Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Everton
Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Alcaraz; Beto
Key Players
Liverpool - Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool's main man all season, and is on the verge of leading his side to Premier League glory.
He has registered 32 goals and 22 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions this season, and comfortably leads the league in both the goals and assists categories.
The Egyptian has, however, come under criticism in recent weeks after he failed to replicate that kind of form in Liverpool's defeats to PSG and Newcastle, games where he failed to record any goal contributions. The question is can he silence the critics with a trademark Salah performance on Wednesday night?
Everton - James Tarkowski
The Toffees are set to go up against the league's top goalscorers, and therefore must be prepared to put in a solid defensive showing if they are to get anything from the game.
With that being said, club captain Tarkowski will have a pitoval role to play with his leadership in defence as well as his aerial threat from set pieces.
It was thanks to Tarkowski that Everton stole a point from Liverpool's grasp in February, and he will be hoping to help his team to the same come Wednesday.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The match will be played at Anfield in Liverpool, England.
What time is kick-off?
The match will kick-off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the match on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League channels, with live coverage getting underway at 19:00 BST.
