Liverpool await a dead-ball salvo, Luton have to keep their chins up and things could get spicy at City Ground

David Moyes will surely have taken note of Liverpool’s struggle to defend set pieces against Everton. Jürgen Klopp, who must be delighted with a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, should prepare his team for another bruising test when they visit West Ham. For Moyes, this is a chance to repair the sizeable damage to his reputation caused by last weekend’s collapse at Selhurst Park. West Ham were 4-0 down to Palace after 31 minutes and are preparing to part company with Moyes at the end of the season, but they should take heart from how Everton unsettled Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton scored twice from set pieces and West Ham pose a similar threat from dead balls. James Ward-Prowse’s deliveries towards Tomas Soucek, Kurt Zouma and Michail Antonio will have Klopp’s defenders sweating. Jacob Steinberg

West Ham v Liverpool, Saturday 12.30pm (all times BST)

Fulham v Crystal Palace, Saturday 3pm

Newcastle v Sheffield United, Saturday 3pm

Manchester United v Burnley, Saturday 3pm

• ‘It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool’
• Feyenoord coach confident the clubs will agree a deal

Arne Slot has revealed he is keen on a move to Liverpool and has ­“confidence” that a switch to Anfield will materialise.

The Feyenoord manager, who has become Liverpool’s preferred candidate to succeed Jürgen Klopp, was speaking to ESPN before the club’s Eredivisie game against Go Ahead Eagles. “The only thing I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations – and then you sit in the waiting room and wait for what will come out. It seems clear to me that I would like to go to Liverpool,” he said. “Now I am waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I have every ­confidence in that.”

Manager’s departure news is not to blame for his side losing their grasp on two, quite possibly three, trophies in quick time

In isolation, Jürgen Klopp did not have to apologise for losing for the first time in eight visits to Goodison Park. Bad nights happen. In the context of Liverpool’s sorry end to the season, however, an apology felt entirely appropriate.

“I really feel for the people, I am really sorry for that,” said the Liverpool manager after Wednesday’s derby defeat by Everton. “We never lost here before and that feels really different. I really apologise for that.” Klopp’s voice and choice of words captured Liverpool’s mood as the prospects of giving their manager a fitting send-off evaporated. Deflation. Yes, a new-look team was not expected to mount a title challenge this season. That is not a default excuse for recent underperformance. Yes, a quadruple is a fanciful ambition. That does not explain how Liverpool have allowed two, quite possibly three, trophies to slip from their grasp in less than six weeks.

Jürgen Klopp apologised for Liverpool's first Merseyside derby defeat at Everton in 14 years and admitted his team need 'a crisis' to unfold at Arsenal and Manchester City to remain in the Premier League title race. Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin soured the Reds' title challenge as the hosts powered their way to a priceless 2-0 derby victory at Goodison Park.

After the match the Liverpool manager felt 'very disappointed, frustrated' and summed the game up by saying 'It wasn't good enough. We played the game that Everton wanted.'

• ‘Not good enough’: Klopp apologises for Liverpool’s derby defeat at Everton

• Sean Dyche’s tracksuit energy shocks weary Liverpool into submission

• Captain says team lacked ‘fight’ at Everton and in other games
• He feels fear of making mistakes may have contributed to slump

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has questioned his teammates’ desire following Wednesday’s loss to Everton which put a huge dent in their hopes to win the Premier League title.

The defender suggested his fellow Anfield players take “a look in the mirror” as he launched into a scathing analysis of Liverpool’s end-of-season collapse following their second defeat in three league games, made even more damaging as it came at Goodison Park.