Last weekend's defeat at Old Trafford ensured that Liverpool's wafer-slim hopes of being involved in the title race are at an end, so this weekend is now a crucial one for their more realistic hopes of salvaging something from another disappointing league campaign. In many ways it is also the best possible fixture for them to put their frustrations behind them and get their season back on track in time for the resumption of Champions League football.
Of course, their opponents are neighbours Everton, who also happen to be their closest rivals for the fourth Champions League slot, with just two points between the Merseyside clubs and a big drop of seven points before sixth-placed Portsmouth. That means that it is almost certainly between these two to decide who will finish in fourth place, and this clash at Anfield will go a long way to deciding which of them comes out in top.
In 2005, Everton pipped Liverpool to it, though their achievement was rather overshadowed a week or so later when the Reds won the Champions League, while qualification did the Toffees little good as they crashed out almost before the following season started, and it took them the best part of a year to fully recover. They are back and challenging again now though and will fancy their chances of winning at Anfield for the first time since September 1999.
They have only won twice in 16 derby matches since that day, while they have had a frustrating time in recent weeks, with a UEFA Cup exit followed by a defeat and a draw in the league. However, with Liverpool's own impressive form coming unstuck at Old Trafford, neither team will be high on confidence going into the derby, while Everton will be burning with resentment and a desire for vengence after the manner of their home defeat to the Reds back in October.
Leading at half-time to a Sami Hyypia own goal, things fell apart for Everton after Tony Hibbert was sent off for a foul on Steven Gerrard, which led to a penalty that was converted by Dirk Kuyt, who should have been shown a red card himself for a wild lunge before scoring another spot kick in the last minute after a handball by Phil Neville (also sent off). With Everton feeling that they should have had two penalties of their own, it was a hugely controversial win for Liverpool, and that is bound to be on the minds of the Toffees players.
For Liverpool, bouncing back from their flat and uninspired performance against Man United will be at the forefront of their minds, particularly as they went into that match with every expectation of finally ending their miserable run against their rivals. Having not only failed to achieve that, but also putting in one of their worst recent performances against them, there will have been a lot of private soul-searching away from the public protests about Javier Mascherano's sending-off.
Their complaints about the 'rough treatment' dished out to Fernando Torres were also a convenient way of deflecting criticism of the Spaniard's inability to cause any real problems for the United defence, so he will be eager to get his form back against Everton, particularly as he was left out for the previous derby at Goodison Park. Steven Gerrard will be equally fired up after underwhelming displays for club and country this week, as well as losing out on the England captaincy to Rio Ferdinand for the game against France.
Both Merseyside clubs have plenty of motivation for this derby, beyond the usual local pride and emnity between the players and fans. Hopefully that will lead to a match that is very competitive and fiery but not too tense or nervy, and while the October game was rather marred by awful refereeing decisions, it was certainly all the more entertaining because of them. Given what is at stake here, you can bet that any repeat of those kind controversies will linger long in the memories of whoever comes out on the receiving end of them...
(All kick-offs are 1500 GMT unless specified)
SATURDAY
Birmingham City v Manchester City
I think this will be a tight game but Birmingham are generally OK at home and I'm tipping them to win, especially given Manchester City are still without Micah Richards.
City seem to be finishing the season reasonably well and have some good, relatively young players but they will need new faces over the summer if they are to kick on.
If Sven-Goran Eriksson's first season was an exam he would definitely get a pass mark.
Verdict: 1-0
Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal
I think Bolton will be relegated.
I just do not understand why they did not take a punt on a player to replace Nicolas Anelka, who was always going to leave.
Arguably the three teams that win promotion from the Championship this season will go straight back down.
So if Bolton could survive this time around they would be OK next season as well.
On this basis it would have been worth paying over the odds in January to bring in a new striker.
Arsenal, with a big Champions League tie looming, will want to get this over as soon as possible.
I think over the last few weeks they have shown a soft mental side that has resulted in a lack of wins in recent Premier League fixtures.
Verdict: 0-2
Derby County v Fulham
I'm hoping that this will be an open and exciting game.
You would think that both managers would say to their players 'let's go for it'.
Derby need to give their supporters something to cheer while Fulham really must see this as a game they have to win.
I'm predicting thrills and spills - to the extent that it might appear fifth in the running order on Match of the Day!
Verdict: 2-2
Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic
Portsmouth have got an important FA Cup tie coming up and that will ensure competition for places will be intense.
Pompey have made Fratton Park a difficult place for opposition teams to come and play - and although Steve Bruce has done a good job at Wigan I think his team will lose this match.
Verdict: 2-1
Reading v Blackburn Rovers
I think this match matters more to Reading.
They have come back strongly after their run of eight consecutive Premier League defeats.
Blackburn have had an unusual season in that they have lots of good players but have had one or two indifferent spells through the campaign.
That said, I still think that over the last three years they have punched above their weight.
Verdict: 2-1
Sunderland v West Ham United
I was quite impressed with West Ham at Everton last week, though I think the disallowed Yakubu goal should have stood and that the home team would have gone on to win had it done so.
The Hammers have a couple of young players - the likes of James Tomkins and Freddie Sears - that bodes well for them.
But Sunderland will see this as a game that they can win - and help them edge away from trouble in the process.
Verdict: 2-1
Manchester Utd v Aston Villa Kick-off 1715 GMT
Aston Villa look like a side who need a break.
Martin O'Neill picks his strongest available team every week and some of his players are starting to look a little leggy.
Goals have not been forthcoming and they did not play well against Sunderland last week.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is able to rotate his squad regularly because he has so many quality players and match-winners in his squad.
When Ferguson does rotate it does not seriously hinder his team's attacking qualities.
Verdict: 2-0
SUNDAY
(All kick-offs are 1500 BST unless specified)
Chelsea v Middlesbrough Kick-off 1330 BST
Chelsea have some of their players fit and available again and they really have the bit between their teeth at the moment.
They are putting serious pressure on Manchester United for the Premier League title.
Regardless of whether you think manager Avram Grant is tactically good or inept, he has so many good players dictating what happens on the pitch - and that makes a big difference.
After Cardiff defeated Middlesbrough in the FA Cup I looked at Boro and thought 'oh dear, what is going to happen to them?'.
However, they have responded really well and that is great credit to their manager - but they won't take any points from Stamford Bridge.
Verdict: 3-0
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Newcastle had a good win against Fulham last week and I reckon that most neutrals would want the Magpies to retain their Premier League status.
However, there is a massive difference between beating Fulham at home and taking on Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Spurs are pushing on with their development all the time and in Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque, Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, they have a really good front four.
I like coach Juande Ramos, who has had a long look at what he has and worked out what he needs to do over the summer.
Verdict: 3-1
Liverpool v Everton Kick-off 1600 BST
If this match was taking place a month or so ago I would have tipped Everton to win.
However, Tim Cahill is injured, Mikel Arteta appears to be struggling a little for form and they have picked up just one point from the last two games.
Liverpool need a performance after their showing against Manchester United last week.
Forget about Javier Mascherano - in terms of performance Liverpool were very much second best and United did not have to play all that well to beat them.
The most worrying thing for Liverpool was that they got done through the middle on five separate occasions. Normally they are so strong down the centre of their team.
Verdict: 2-0