Liverpool will face off against Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.
An all-Merseyside pairing in Monday’s draw came just 48 hours before both sides prepare to face off in their latest Premier League encounter at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side bested the Blues the last time they met at the same stage of the competition back in 2018 with Virgil van Dijk scoring on his debut.
The tie will heap further pressure on Liverpool’s already gruelling schedule in of 11 games over the next 31 days beginning with Everton’s visit on Wednesday.
Ties will be played as early as Friday, January 3, the European champions’ game with Sheffield United a day earlier is set to push the derby to a weekend date.
“I didn’t run through my living room [after the draw] celebrating,” said Klopp.
“I think for both it’s not exactly what you wish for, that you think, ‘Oh, nice. Again!’
“I have no problem playing Everton: it’s a big game, they’re a great team and a great club, big opponents, but it’s for us and them the first round and then you play immediately [a big tie].
“Last year we had Wolves in the same round and Chelsea at home in the League Cup, so obviously we always go the hard way and that’s our way. We cannot change that.
“We have time until we have to prepare for that Everton game, but not we prepare for this Everton game and hopefully we do the right things.”