Liverpool manager Arne Slot has once again opted to leave Alexander Isak out of the starting XI for today’s Merseyside derby against Everton. The Swedish striker, who joined from Newcastle in the summer had been tipped to make his Premier League debut for the Reds, but Hugo Ekitike will instead lead the line at Anfield.
Softfootball reported that Isak started Liverpool’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and could start up top with Slot hinting on Friday that Hugo Ekitike may be moved over to the left wing role.
The Reds head into today’s clash at Anfield top of the table having been the only team to win all four of their opening top-flight games, but it will be no easy task against their rivals, who are always fired up for the derby. Going by the team news release on Liverpool X account, Isak is once again on the bench for the derby.
Slot has been keen to build up the striker’s fitness after he missed the entirety of pre-season as well as the first three Premier League games of the new campaign with Newcastle where he was not training with the first team prior to sealing a switch to Merseyside.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai presents another selection headache for the Reds head coach ahead of today’s cash. Szoboszlai has impressed at right-back this season, scoring a stunning free-kick in the 1-0 win over Arsenal last month, but looked at home in his natural midfield role in midweek.
With Alexis Mac Allister fit and rested, it could mean that the Liverpool No8 returns to defence with Jeremie Frimpong making way following his return from injury.
Curtis Jones is available for selection again after missing the last two games with a knock and Milos Kerkez is pushing for a recall following a substitute’s role in the Champions League and being taken off before half-time in last weekend’s last-gasp win at Burnley.
Confirmed XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Bradley, Gakpo, Ekitike, Gravenberch
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Wirtz, Isak, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Nguomoha
Everton have been in impressive form themselves, with the Toffees sixth in the league going into the Merseyside derby, suffering just one Premier League defeat thus far. Jack Grealish has shined since joining Everton on loan from Manchester City and was named the Premier League Player of the Month for August.
There are two potential injury absentees for Everton, though, with Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko’s involvement both in doubt.
Iliman Ndiaye will be hoping to continue his impressive form for Everton against Liverpool, with the Senegal international having scored two goals across the Toffees’ first four Premier League games this season.
Confirmed XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Beto
Subs: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.
Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 when the two sides last met in April, with late forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in July, scoring the only goal.
