City rivals Liverpool and Everton are preparing to face off in a crucial Merseyside derby on Sunday afternoon at Anfield, with the stakes high for both sides but for very different reasons.
A win for Liverpool will continue to pile the pressure on league leaders Manchester City, while Everton's desire to get a positive result is equally strong, with a resurgent Burnley looking to pull the Blues into the relegation zone. A number of pundits have had their say on how they see this one going. Here's what they think...
Writing for BetVictor, former Liverpool striker Michael Owen said: "Liverpool were brilliant against United on Tuesday. Some of the football was superb, the second goal in particular was simply outstanding. I’ve got to talk about Thiago though. He was good against City at Wembley last week, but the performance on Tuesday was a joy to watch.
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"For Everton, it wasn’t a great performance, but that was such a valuable point against Leicester. They need every point they can get, and that’s now four points from two games. I can’t see Everton getting anything here though. Liverpool are playing well and are too focused. Even though it’s a derby, I think they’ll win this easily, 4-1 ."
BBC Sport pundit and former Liverpool centre-back Mark Lawrenson is also predicting a home win for the Reds, but with a more conservative score line of 2-0 to the Reds.
He said: "It's a derby, so this will be absolutely manic. The game will start at 100 miles per hour and the tackles will be flying in, they always are. But, whatever the scenario and however hard they work, any away team at Anfield needs some quality to get anything from the game.
"Everton have shown some signs of improvement in their past two games but, defensively, I still don't think they have what it takes to keep Liverpool out. There are 47 points separating the two teams in the table, which illustrates the current gulf in class."
Paul Merson can only see a home win this time round. The Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit has predicted a 3-0 win for Jurgen Klopp's side in his weekly column for sportskeeda.
He wrote: "Liverpool do take their foot off the gas sometimes. They had United on the rack the other day and could've easily scored six or seven goals. They can't take their eye off the prize - one draw and that'll be it for them. Jurgen Klopp won't rest any of his players this weekend. This is a big football derby - the pride of the city. I'd be amazed if Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah didn't play. You play them, get in front, and then take them off - not the other way round.
"Luis Diaz has also come in and made a massive difference. Diogo Jota is a player who scores big goals in big matches. It's a nice situation to be in if you're Jurgen Klopp. Everton will work hard and they'll give Liverpool a game, but I don't think they'll win this match."
With three pundits plumping for Liverpool already, would ex-Everton defender and double Premier League winner Joleon Lescott back his old club for an unexpected derby day win? Not on this occasion.
Writing for LiveScore, he said: "It’s always feisty when Liverpool and Everton meet and I’m sure Sunday afternoon will be no different — though this Merseyside derby feels less intense than usual. I think if you’re Frank Lampard, heading to Anfield in your current position, you have to take that rivalry element out of it and accept you can’t go toe to toe.
"The Toffees are still fighting for survival and have to go there looking to frustrate Liverpool. These last few weeks have been as good as I’ve seen the Reds play under Klopp. Sure, they’re susceptible to conceding, but they just look so comfortable and confident in the way they’re approaching games, with the goals flowing freely.
"In 2018-19, we saw both Liverpool and City win their last nine games, with Guardiola’s men nicking the title by a point. I know we talk about the drama of the Premier League and the twists along the way, but you wouldn’t be surprised if something similar happened this season. Liverpool and City are levels above the rest. But while slip-ups can happen, I wouldn’t bank on it.
"I mentioned Everton needing to go and frustrate Liverpool but I’m not sure they can do so for a full 90 minutes. You just can’t oppose the Reds or Man City at the moment. Home win. "
One pundit with mix feelings about the match is Don Hutchinson, who in his playing days represented both clubs. Speaking on a YouTube broadcasted preview of the match for the channel PreGame, he said: "I ain't going to lie, I am petrified. For two reasons. Everton can beat Liverpool - there's a chance. That will derail Liverpool for the Premier League. And Liverpool could seriously put Everton into the bottom three and Everton could go down this season. So this game, I'm just going to watch. I'm going nervous, petrified and anxious and then just see who's got the quality. And if we're talking quality, Liverpool area going to be massive favourites.
"You won't see an Everton side copying what Manchester United did last week, when they hardly touched them and hardly got around the place. Everton's strength in this game is going to be tough-tight, put your tackles in, be brutal - because it's a Merseyside derby - but Liverpool's quality, they are relentless at the moment."