The Premier League has reportedly rejected a plea to reschedule the forthcoming Merseyside Derby, handing a timely advantage to Arsenal over their slim title hopes. Liverpool and Everton were both keen on finding an alternative date for the clash, currently set for Wednesday, April 2.
The Toffees are set to make the short trip to Anfield in the middle of next week, with a crunch match against the Gunners looming for David Moyes' men less than 72 hours later, given they host Arsenal in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. The Merseyside outfits had both hoped to bring their derby forward to give the Toffees additional recovery time before facing the title-chasing Gunners. It was believed that both Liverpool also saw positives in moving the game forward, due to the hectic and tightly-packed schedule.
However, it is said the request from both clubs fell on deaf ears in a boost for Arsenal. With Liverpool being given less rest time between their huge clashes against Everton and Marco Silva's dangerous Fulham side on Sunday, April 6, the Gunners – who host Fulham themselves on Tuesday, April 1 – will be waiting to see if any points are dropped by Slot's side.
According to the Daily Mail, both Merseyside clubs wanted to move their derby battle back a day to April 1, only for the Premier League to decline the proposal. The timing of the request remains uncertain.
Premier League officials confirmed its April television schedule on February 28, earmarking the Merseyside Derby for Sky Sports coverage, while TNT Sports will broadcast Everton's encounter with Arsenal.
Liverpool approach the next round of games holding a 12-point advantage at the summit, with only nine matches left to play. However, they entered the international break on the back of consecutive losses for the first time this season.
Paris Saint-Germain knocked the Reds out of the Champions League by overcoming them 1-0 in normal time to level the clash on aggregate, before ousting them on penalties. As Slot's side were still licking their wounds, Newcastle United over-powered the Reds at Wembley Stadium to win the Carabao Cup final 2-0.
Arteta will be hoping those results weigh on the minds of the Liverpool players heading into the crunch run-in of fixtures. Slot will be doing everything he can to ensure those results are only a blip, rather than a costly malaise in their pursuit of a second-ever Premier League title.
After the League Cup final loss, Slot said: "It's part of football if you face strong teams that you can lose as well. Ideally you go through the whole season only winning, winning, winning. But it can happen that after eight months of football you lose twice in a row if you face Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle."
The Gunners are getting back on track, ending a dip in form with a crucial win against Chelsea before players jetted off for international duties. With Mikel Merino's header securing victory, Arsenal fans have big home games to look forward to as Fulham and Brentford visit the Emirates either side of an away clash at Everton.
Optimism is buzzing around the Emirates with the possibility of Bukayo Saka returning from injury. Despite being sidelined since December after a hamstring operation, Arteta is hoping Saka might make a comeback for the upcoming fixtures, having missed playing time since pulling up during a match at Crystal Palace.