While the dust continues to whirl from the Merseyside derby last weekend, John Giles believes that Everton could be the nearest challengers to Liverpool.
After Jordan Pickford's destructive challenge on Virgil van Dijk, some commentators have asked whether this might derail Liverpool's title charge - but Giles believes they have an able deputy.
"I don't think there is any possibility of them collapsing whatsoever. Even with van Dijk out, they still have the best defence with Fabinho and [Joe] Gomez at the back, the two full-backs, and Alisson.
"I think [centre-back] is Fabinho's best position, by far. Don't forget, they still have Thiago to come in in midfield.
"He has got all the qualities for that; he is good in the air, he is quite a big lad, tackles well, and uses the ball well - which is a bonus.
"I said that Liverpool would be stronger this year than last year because they have Thiago in midfield, and Fabinho is the best centre-half is van Dijk.
"I think he'll do the job for them now."
Wijnaldum 'wrong'
Giles believes that Gini Wijnaldum's comments about Pickford's tackle this week were 'wrong' - that the tackle was mistimed rather than done with bad intentions.
"I don't for a second think that he went to 'do' van Dijk - but that isn't the point. It was a very dangerous tackle.
"What Wijnaldum seemed to be saying was that this was the trend in the derbies now, but I haven't seen that.
"It was a bad tackle that deserved a sending off, but I can't remember a match where you thought 'Everton are kicking lumps out of Liverpool.'
Everton
As for Everton outside of their agricultural approach, Giles believes that Carlo Ancelotti has taken over recruitment there - and that it could end up in a brilliant domestic campaign.
"A big, big plus for Everton is having [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin doing what he is doing. He is an old-fashioned centre-forward - big, strong, brave, and he is getting the supply.
"[Ancelotti] is getting the ball up to him any chance he gets - corner kicks, free kicks and getting the ball wide."
Calvert-Lewin's development could fire Everton on to a Champions League place.
"I believe [Duncan] Ferguson is working with him, and he has got the confidence as well. He had this reputation of being a good lad, but he didn't score goals.
"Now that he has a few under his belt, it gives him confidence to know that he can go and do it. He's a game lad.
"I think Everton could be the nearest team to Liverpool this season. The only thing is they might need a couple of players; if they get injuries, [Ancelotti] is a bit thin on players.
"I think Everton are a real side now."
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