Arne Slot believes his Liverpool side could see an upturn in their Premier League form after their Champions League exit.
The Reds were knocked out of UEFA's premier competition at the quarter-final stage by reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Liverpool have picked up just seven points across their last five league games, though they did win against Fulham last weekend.
Although Slot would prefer to remain in the Champions League, the Dutchman feels his players could benefit from fewer minutes.
Among Premier League players, Virgil van Dijk (4,401) and Dominik Szobozslai (4,196) have played the most minutes across all competitions, while only Chelsea (four) have more players in the top 15 of this category than Liverpool (three).
"If you look at the 15, 20, 25 players with the most minutes this season, a lot of them are from us," said Slot.
"That tells you a lot and one of the reasons why we have been a bit inconsistent, maybe why we have conceded so many late goals, because it is always the same players.
“A very special game.”
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 17, 2026
Read a round-up from Arne Slot's pre-Merseyside derby press conference:
"Maybe from that perspective, it is a good thing we are not in Europe any more, but I would definitely prefer to play in Europe because that also gives an energy to the group if you go to the semifinal of the Champions League.
"I don't see it as a positive thing we are out but it is the reality and we have a bit more training time now."
Liverpool face Everton for the first time at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday; the Reds have won at 59 of the 61 grounds they have played at in the competition, and could become the first team to win at 60 different stadia in the Premier League.
Liverpool have won their last two Premier League games against Everton, though both have come at Anfield. They last won three consecutive league Merseyside derbies between April 2016 and April 2017.