Liverpool and Everton are set to renew hostilities.
Both Merseyside rivals go head to head at Goodison Park on Saturday for what could be the tightest derby game between the two for years.
Because although Liverpool are the reigning Premier League champions, Everton are the form horses.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won 12 points from a possible 12 so far, sitting top of the Premier League table as a result.
So far, the Italian, who has three Champions League titles to his name, has the Toffees playing wonderfully during his first full season at Goodison Park.
And Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he couldn’t hold his opposite number in any higher esteem, claiming there’s an enormous amount of respect there despite the two now being rivals.
He told the club’s official website: “Top team, top manager. What I think about Carlo Ancelotti was never a secret. I couldn’t respect him more as a person and as a coach. He’s a wonderful human being, to be honest.
“I knew from the first day when I heard that he will sign for Everton, I thought, ‘Ah, the next proper challenger in line.”
Bear in mind, Liverpool are going into the game on the back of a 7-2 drubbing by Aston Villa which might well cause some residual confidence issues among the Reds’ squad.
Then again, they’re the champions of England for a very good reason and Ancelotti will know that this is by far their biggest test of the season so far.
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