If Liverpool win their game in hand over Arsenal at Everton on Wednesday they will strike a blow to their title rivals' belief and put themselves in a fantastic position to win the Premier League, says Jamie Carragher.
While their shock FA Cup exit at Plymouth on Sunday derailed any talk of a quadruple tilt, Liverpool go to Goodison Park for the final Merseyside derby at the famous ground of their neighbours this week, knowing victory would move them nine points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League with 14 games to play.
The original fixture was postponed in December due to bad weather and Carragher believes the delay has increased the importance of it. Such has been Liverpool's form in the meantime, they could now move into an even more commanding position at the top of the standings.
"When you talk about [this week's] Merseyside derby, that is the biggest game of the season," says Carragher.
"Not because it's Everton. Liverpool have been talking about a game in hand, it feels like for about two months.
"If Liverpool win that, they've almost got one hand on the trophy.
"A nine-point lead with 14 games to go is a huge lead with the form Liverpool are in right now.
"If they could win [against Everton], psychologically it's a massive boost for Liverpool but also what that would do to Arsenal - I don't think many people at Arsenal would believe they could pull that back because it would be a huge lead at this stage of the season."
Liverpool secured their place in the Carabao Cup final last week with a turnaround second-leg semi-final win over Tottenham and will meet Newcastle at Wembley next month. They are also into the last-16 of the Champions League having topped the inaugural league phase.
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A much-changed side lost at Plymouth in the FA Cup but this still could be a remarkable season for the Reds and Arne Slot, in his first season in charge, says Carragher.
"This could be a really special season for Liverpool," he said.
"They've been in the situation where four trophies were still available at this stage of the season I think twice in the last three or four years under Jurgen Klopp. They've come away with two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup. They didn't win the big ones.
"They lost the Champions League final, they lost out to Man City on the last game of the season and last season they missed out.
"The most important thing is to win the big trophies and the two biggest ones are the league and Champions League. This has the potential to be an amazing season."
