Programme notesArne Slot: The only thing that matters is the here and now

The Reds return to action in the Premier League with a meeting against neighbours Everton at Anfield this evening (8pm BST kick-off).

The fixture against the Blues follows a hiatus from the league since early March, after the international break followed the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Writing in his matchday notes for the game, head coach Slot says: "It feels like a long time since we last played a home league game, so hopefully the wait will only add to the sense of anticipation for what is always one of the biggest games of the season.

"Without dwelling too much on everything that happened before the international break, it is clear that a couple of important results went against us in both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

"In each case we congratulate our opponents in the knowledge that we have to use our own sense of disappointment in a positive way – starting tonight. We are now down to the final nine matches of a season in which the players, staff and supporters have already delivered so much and yet there is so much still to play for.

"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.

"I said before the break that it was a big positive that our advantage at the top of the table had increased but at the same time we are all aware that these kind of leads are always likely to fluctuate, particularly in a league which is as competitive as the Premier League.

"Of course, this has been shown by tonight's opponents with Everton being on a really good run and picking up some excellent results since the return of David Moyes. I would like to welcome David, his staff and the players and supporters of Everton to Anfield in the knowledge that they will be coming to put up a really good fight, just as they did at Goodison Park back in February.

• Get your matchday programme at Anfield tonight or order online here

"That was my first experience of the Merseyside derby and it was quite an occasion. I know that the atmosphere that night was added to by the fact that it was the last derby match to be played at Goodison, but I am hoping that the circumstances around this fixture and the possibilities that could be created by a positive result for us will see Anfield at its very best.

"Because we know what Anfield can be like and what a huge difference it can make, it is inevitable that we would want it to be like this all the time. Maybe that is unrealistic, but it should always be our ambition on and off the pitch knowing that the closer we can get to our very top level the better our chances of success.

"It was funny before the break because I was asked on many occasions about which game was the most important because we were still involved in three competitions, but my answer was always the same – the next one is the most important.

"I think maybe not everyone believed me, but it was and is absolutely true. We need to have a laser-focus. There can be no looking ahead and definitely no looking back, the only thing that matters is the here and now.

"The next game is the most important game. The next game is the Merseyside derby against Everton. We should put everything we have into this one and then move on to what comes next.

"If we do it this way – and that is absolutely non-negotiable – we will see where it takes us."