Liverpool host Everton in Merseyside derby, six matches on tonight

Liverpool will look to move back 12 points ahead of title rivals Arsenal when they host local rivals Everton at Anfield as they seek upward mobility towards a first English Premier League title in 5 years.

Currently on 70 points with just nine matches left to play, the Reds will be hoping to demolish their local rivals and take their lead back to double figures with a handful of matches to play.

Having failed to progress in the UEFA Champions League prior to the just-ended international break, Liverpool will be hoping to seal a victory that would also offer bragging rights over their local rivals.

Head coach Arne Slot has urged his side to up the tempo.

"We are in a strong position in the league, and we have to take advantage of it now," he urged his players in his pre-match notes to LFC.com.

"The situation that we are in is the kind that we would all have wanted when our campaign began at Ipswich Town back in August, so now we must make the most of it.”

"This means remaining focused on ourselves and our own results, not becoming distracted by anything else and reaching the standards that we know will be required in each and every game that we play," he added.

Elsewhere, the battle for places in the Champions League next season will be in focus when Brighton host Aston Villa.

Both sides are in with a shout of a top-four finish and will be looking to cut the gap on Chelsea, who are fourth.

Manchester City will host struggling Leicester City, with Bournemouth taking on Ipswich Town as they also aim for Europe.

Premier League fixtures tonight (East African time)

21.45: Southampton V Crystal Palace

21.45 Bournemouth V Ipswich Town

21.45 Brighton V Aston Villa

21.45 Newcastle V Brentford

21.45 Manchester City V Leicester City

22.00 Liverpool V Everton