Liverpool have had a caveat alongside their name at the top of the Premier League table for the last two months. The Reds have had to wait 67 days to travel to Everton for their outstanding game in hand, having seen the Merseyside derby originally postponed on December 7 after falling foul of Storm Darragh.

Arne Slot’s side remained in first place regardless, having last surrendered top spot back at the end of October when they drew 2-2 at Arsenal.

Manchester City took advantage that weekend to leapfrog Liverpool, but the defending champions' decline since then has been well documented.

READ MORE: Liverpool handed another injury boost as Arne Slot drops Everton line-up hint

READ MORE: 'Of course I asked him' - Arne Slot confirms John Heitinga talks ahead of David Moyes reunion

Losing seven and winning only five of their last 15 Premier League matches, City have long since waved the white flag when it comes to their hopes of retaining the title.

The Reds' lead has fluctuated since regaining pole position back at the start of November. Initially only two points, it reached as many as nine points before they found themselves with a game-in-hand. Away to Everton this evening, they have the chance to restore that maximum deficit.

Since Arsenal moved back into second place at the end of December, the gap has predominantly stayed at six points. The Gunners, despite never topping the table at the end of a gameweek this season, are Liverpool’s main title rivals and the team hoping most desperately for the leaders to slip up at Goodison Park.

After a 67-day wait, both the Reds and their nearest challengers are about to find out the true deficit at the top of the Premier League table. Be it extended to seven or nine points, or remain at six, Liverpool will still have the upper hand with 14 games left to play.

Yet the roles will soon be reversed. With Liverpool booking their place in next month’s Carabao final against Newcastle United, their Premier League trip to Aston Villa has been brought forward to Wednesday, February 19.

Consequently, they will soon boast a ‘false advantage’ at the top of the table. In a best case scenario, the Reds could find themselves 12 or even 15 points clear in first place once they depart Villa Park, having played a game more.

But in the worst case scenario, where a defeat to Everton is followed by further losses to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Villa, they could see their lead cut to just three points with Arsenal then boasting a game in hand.

The Merseyside derby is the first of five Premier League fixtures in 15 days for Liverpool, who travel to Man City and host Newcastle following the aforementioned clashes with Wolves and Villa. Evidently, the Premier League title race is about to become a lot clearer.

Slot would deny that it is a decisive period for his side at his pre-match press conference, but it is undeniable they are about to find out just how strong their position of strength actually is.

Of course, points on the board are always preferable to a game in hand. When not on a level playing field, there is always an added seed of doubt.

But as things stand, the Reds have both. And while they are about to lose their longstanding caveat, they will hope to find themselves in an even stronger position come 9.30pm tonight's.

Following Liverpool's trip to Villa Park, Arsenal will then boast a game in hand themselves for 25 days, until they host Chelsea on Sunday, March 16 - the same day as the Carabao Cup final.

For a week in February, the Reds will know the true extent of their lead at the top of the table. Then they will just have to wait for Arsenal to catch up, with the same psychological asterisk they have worn as a badge of honour, to rub further salt in their rivals’ wounds for 67 days, then chipping away at their advantage in the meantime.

Liverpool will hope to leave Wembley celebrating against Newcastle next month. But they could have further reason to celebrate when travelling home, dependent on goings on elsewhere in the capital that same day.

A date when Slot could lift his first trophy as Reds head coach, it could also prove to be monumental one in the Premier League championship battle. Mark your calendars, March 16 will be when we next know the true gap at the top of the table.

When back on level terms, both sides will have nine matches remaining heading into April. With Liverpool currently possessing a head start, regardless of the number of fixtures either they or Arsenal have played, let the Premier League title race run in begin.