Everton and Liverpool, two Merseyside rivals in very different forms, renew hostilities for Wednesday's Premier League derby at Goodison Park.
Last time out, the Toffees were defeated 1-0 by Brentford, while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 victory over Southampton at home.
Everton manager Rafael Benitez hoped to quickly endear himself to the Goodison Park faithful with a strong start to the new season, but an alarming decline has seen the Toffees' strong start to the 2021-22 season firmly consigned to history.
Everton, winless in the Premier League since losing to Norwich City in September, were the latest victims of newly-promoted Brentford last time out, as an Ivan Toney penalty 24 minutes in was all that separated the two sides on Sunday.
Everton have now lost five of their last six Premier League games, including each of their last three away from home, dropping them to 14th in the table, and one of the Premier League's ever-presents is now just six points above the relegation zone.
Everton have now gone three Premier League games without scoring, with star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin spending more time in the treatment room than on the pitch this season, and Benitez's reunion with the Reds looks set to be a forgettable occasion.
After winning three of their first three games at Goodison Park this season, Everton have since taken just one point from the last nine available, which will be music to Klopp's ears.
On Saturday, Diogo Jota was forced to switch Ultimate Team for the Liverpool team with the Portuguese attacker withdrawing from a FIFA 22 tournament in time to lead the line and bag a brace during a routine crushing of Southampton.
Jota scored with just two minutes on the clock before paying tribute to the video game with a controller-mimicking celebration, and the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man would go on to score a second, as did Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool moved to within two points of league leaders Chelsea after a fourth consecutive Anfield win and clean sheet in all competitions, but the third-placed Reds are also one point behind Manchester City after 13 games.
Klopp will not need reminding of the importance of points over the Christmas period before his ranks are depleted during the Africa Cup of Nations, but finding attacking inspiration should not be a problem for a team that has scored at least two goals in each of their last 17 games in all tournaments.
Everton Premier League form:
•L
•L
•L
•D
•L
•L
Liverpool Premier League form:
•W
•W
•D
•L
•W
•W
Liverpool form (all competitions):
•D
•W
•L
•W
•W
•W
Last season, Liverpool and Everton drew 2-2 in this game, which was best remembered for Van Dijk's devastating injury, but the Toffees won 2-0 at Anfield during the Reds' home rut, and Benitez has all the motivation he needs to turn his side's fortunes around here.
Everton will gladly welcome Richarlison back from suspension for this match, but Mason Holgate will have to sit out one more game.
Calvert-Lewin should return before Christmas, but not this weekend, while Yerry Mina, Tom Davies, and Andre Gomes are also expected to miss out, despite the latter's return to training.
Salomon Rondon will almost certainly be dropped to make room for the returning Richarlison, and Anthony Gordon may also be dropped if Demarai Gray is deemed fit to start.
Liverpool's injured quintet of Naby Keita, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino, and Curtis Jones remains out, but Klopp has no new concerns following the Southampton win.
The Reds manager will be hesitant to rotate for a tense Merseyside derby, with the only real quandary coming in defense, where Ibrahima Konate will be determined to keep Joel Matip out.
Thiago Alcantara, who played just under an hour against Southampton, should be fit for another start, but workhorse James Milner's experience could be crucial in Wednesday's game.
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