FA Cup fourth round duties may be the order of the weekend for Liverpool, yet an ongoing Premier League title race with Arsenal is never going to escape Arne Slot's mind. Once the match at Plymouth Argyle is wrapped up on Sunday, attentions will turn to another important week.

The Reds occupy a brilliant position to claim the Premier League title, sitting top of the division with a six-point lead over chasers Arsenal. Cup duties have allowed a respite in recent days.

But as the second of two matches this week is against lower league opposition, Slot has made no secret of the fact he intends to rotate his squad to a level he feels comfortable can come away with success whilst allowing key personnel to rest.

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"I think it is always a tricky tie, whoever you play; an away game, their final probably. But if you play with a team who haven't played much together than it is always a bit more difficult," the head coach said.

"Even at PSV these players played a good game. So this is important for some players who don't play a lot to play, so they are ready for when we need them. We will definitely use a fe we haven't used much."

With Everton to play in what may be a final Goodison Park Merseyside derby this coming Wednesday, Liverpool could extend their advantage at the top of the table to nine points in total before the Gunners next kick a football. It is significant as it marks their game in hand, owed since the derby was postponed over two months ago.

Afterwards the two title hopefuls will each have 14 matches remaining in the 2024/25 campaign as a true battle of quality and stamina is teed up for the next three months.

Liverpool also seem to recognise the psychological element of the upcoming title battle. To that end, Liverpool sent a reminder 11 years to the day since one of Anfield's best days in the modern era - as they marked the anniversary the 5-1 win over the Gunners on Saturday, February 8, 2014.

On a title surge in the 2013/14 campaign, Brendan Rodgers' Reds were 4-0 up against Arsene Wenger's team within the opening 20 minutes. A brace of Martin Skrtel volleys was followed by Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge netting, whilst Luis Suarez's spectacular half-volley from range became of one the biggest 'what if' moments in recent memory.

Sterling added a fifth after the break and Mikel Arteta, starting in midfield that day for the team he now manages, would put away a penalty - a mere consolation - before the full-time whistle.

It is certainly a warm memory to call upon yet one that Liverpool must remember does not paint the picture of the present day. Arsenal have not lost against a 'big six' opponent since April 2023.

Therefore maintaining that current six-point advantage - or possibly nine come next week - is going to be a crucial difference this season, especially when the two teams are scheduled to meet on May 10, the third-from-last match on the Premier League season's calendar.