Liverpool hosts Everton in a Merseyside derby that is the standout game of six Premier League matches to be played on Wednesday night.

The first derby ended in late drama as Everton snatched a late goal in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, and coach David Moyes has since lifted Everton to top-flight safety, meaning there is little pressure at Anfield against a Liverpool side that was starting to look slightly tired before the international break, losing in the UEFA Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain and falling to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz (L) vies for a header with Everton's Conor Coady during the English Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, Britain, Sept. 3, 2022. (Xinhua)

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Liverpool boss Arne Slot insisted his players were "all looking so much forward to the upcoming nine games" in the season, adding the "players are looking refreshed."

"Now it is going to be nine finals. These games are very important for us, starting with Everton. Not only because it is the Merseyside derby, but also because we are in such a good position in the league," he said.

Liverpool goes into the midweek round of matches 12 points clear at the top of the table, although that could be down to nine points if Arsenal beats Fulham on Tuesday.

Wednesday's other games see Manchester City, without the injured Erling Haaland, at home to a Leicester City side that looks increasingly doomed to relegation.

Relegation haunted Ipswich Town visits Bournemouth, which should give Andoni Iraola's side the chance to reignite its challenge to qualify for Europe after a poor run of results before the international break and a narrow FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

Crystal Palace swept past Fulham to qualify for the FA Cup quarterfinal and will expect to make it four consecutive wins in the Premier League with a visit to bottom side Southampton, which has just two wins and nine points all season.

Newcastle United players enjoyed an open-topped bus ride around the packed city street on Sunday to celebrate their Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, and with a place in next season's UEFA Europa League assured, Eddie Howe's men now look to go one better and qualify for the Champions League.

Brentford will be a tough rival as the team from south-west London travels north after winning its last five away games, although Newcastle won the Carabao Cup quarterfinal between the two teams in December last year.

There will be different emotions when Brighton faces Aston Villa, after Villa qualified for the FA Cup semifinals while Brighton lost a penalty shoot-out against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Brighton has a two-point lead over Villa in the league, with both sides aiming to qualify for Europe.

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