The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is just around the corner.
Liverpool will make the short trip to Everton on Wednesday as Arne Slot’s men look to continue their charge towards the Premier League title, with a win moving the Reds nine points ahead of Arsenal after 24 games.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 56 | 21 | 35 | 56 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 24 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 49 | 22 | 27 | 50 |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 40 | 27 | 13 | 47 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 47 | 31 | 16 | 43 |
This fixture was supposed to be played in December but was postponed due to stormy conditions in the Merseyside area.
In hindsight, this has not worked out for Liverpool as Everton are in a different place from where they were back then.
David Moyes has returned to the Toffees and the Blues enter the Merseyside derby having won their last three Premier League matches.
Liverpool are set for a tough night against their city rivals and one man could be key to unlocking a more organised Everton team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold key to Liverpool success over Everton
Liverpool were without Alexander-Arnold for their Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham after the right-back came off injured at the weekend in the Reds win over Bournemouth.
The England international is set to be rested for the Merseyside club’s FA Cup clash with Plymouth on Sunday, however, the Everton game could see the defender return to action.
Alexander-Arnold is targeting Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park for his return with Slot telling the press on Friday that he won’t take a risk with the full-back over the weekend.
“Sunday will be too early for Trent,” the Liverpool head coach stated. “We don’t want to take any risks with so many games coming up.”
This was always going to be the case but it puts Alexander-Arnold in a great position to return next week as the 26-year-old will want to continue the impressive season he is having.
Conor Bradley was immense for Liverpool against Tottenham, however, Alexander-Arnold could hold the key to winning the Everton match for his team.
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold is needed for Liverpool’s clash with Everton?
Real Madrid have been heavily linked to Alexander-Arnold in recent months and there is a reason for that as the full-back is the best creative talent in his position.
The 26-year-old has been incredible for the Reds this season with Stephen Warnock describing Alexander-Arnold as ‘outrageous’. The stars back it up as the defender has had 30 shots, has an expected assist rate of 6.38 having made six assists this season, and has created 45 chances for his teammates so far this term.
This is in addition to completing 81 long balls, 35 crosses, nine successful dribbles, and touching the ball 37 times in the opposition box.
Alexander-Arnold is a creation machine and although Bradley has proven himself in a Liverpool shirt, the youngster cannot do what his fellow right-back can.
Moyes is expected to compete against Slot’s team with a low block and Everton have kept a clean sheet in their last two games under their Scottish coach.
This is why Liverpool must get Alexander-Arnold back for the Merseyside derby as the full-back will be required to break down a tough Everton team.
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