Merseyside derbies are always huge occasions across both sides of Stanley Park, but this weekend's instalment has enhanced significance for Everton and their unexpected quest for European football.
Rarely has a derby so deep into a season had such importance for the Toffees at the right end of the Premier League table.
Depending on results elsewhere, an Everton win could move them into the top six of the Premier League – and to within two points of their city neighbours.
The Toffees have not finished above Liverpool since the 2012-13 season – the last campaign of David Moyes’ first spell in charge – but the prospect of them doing so again is as much about their success as about the Reds’ struggles.
The statistics bear that out.
A victory for Moyes' side would see them hit the 50-point mark in a Premier League season for the first time since 2020-21 under Carlo Ancelotti (59).
After an inconsistent start at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, with their impressive away form the foundation for their league position, they are starting to feel at home at a pivotal stage of the season – and just before they welcome their arch-rivals to their new home for the first time.
Everton have won their last two home Premier League matches and are looking to win three in a row at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time in what is their 17th game there. It took them 18 matches to win three in a row at Goodison Park.
The goals are flowing now too. The Toffees have scored 10 in their last five games and Beto has found his scoring touch at just the right moment.
The 28-year-old had become a figure of ridicule in a first half of the season in which he scored just once in his opening 19 appearances.
But now Beto has been involved in five goals in his last five Premier League appearances (four goals, one assist), with only Bruno Fernandes (seven) involved in more since the start of this run on 28 February.
No player has scored more goals in that time – although Brentford’s Igor Thiago has scored the same number as the Everton striker.
