Liverpool are looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday lunchtime when they visit Everton in the Merseyside derby.
In what will almost certainly be the last meeting between the local rivals at Goodison Park when Everton move for the 2025/26 season, Liverpool will be looking to leave the stadium with victory. This will be trickier than the league table suggests, however, as the Reds have won just two of their last 12 trips to Stanley Park.
Liverpool must respond to one of their first setbacks of the season as they stumbled a spectacular 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. Defensive errors proved costly for the table leaders as their lead was reduced to seven points.
Arne Slot’s first Merseyside derby comes with significant team selection challenges. Injuries will limit the Dutchman’s options in defense and attack, while Alexis Mac Allister’s suspension leaves a significant void in midfield.
Here’s how Liverpool could queue on the weekend.
GK: Kevin Kelleher – An unusually error-ridden performance helped Newcastle earn their hard-fought point at St James’ Park. Alisson is on the mend but is highly unlikely to return for the trip to Goodison.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Slot’s decision to manage Alexander-Arnold’s workload was sensible on paper but backfired against the Magpies in midweek. Jarell Quansah struggled at right-back and Alexander-Arnold’s second-half introduction was followed by two assists from the No.66.
CB: Joe Gomez – After performing admirably against Erling Haaland in place of the injured Ibrahima Konate, Gomez dropped a stinker against Newcastle. Beaten too easily by Anthony Gordon’s effort, the Englishman can offer a shot at redemption after being fouled in the 67th minute midweek.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Even Van Dijk couldn’t plug a leaky defense on Wednesday evening and the Dutchman was far from his imperious best on Tyneside. He has Dominic Calvert-Lewin for company on Saturday.
LB: Andy Robertson – An injury to Kostas Tsimikas means there will be no rest for Robertson at the weekend. The Scot has yet to start this season despite impressive performances from those around him.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – Wednesday was perhaps Gravenberch’s weakest performance in his newly acquired defensive midfield role. He will be tasked with mastering a fighter everton engine room at the weekend.
DM: Curtis Jones – With Alexis Mac Allister suspended at the weekend following a fifth yellow card of the season, Jones could drop into a deeper role against Everton.
RW: Mohamed Salah – No matter what performance Liverpool produce, salah they will participate for the better. A record two goals and one assist midweek takes his Premier League tally to 21 in 14 games this season.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – With Jones potentially sinking to the dual pivot, Szoboszlai could be tasked with operating in a free role behind the striker. He scored a goal in his last trip away to Southampton, but he still lacks consistency.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo has been very impressive this season and has shown his worth with recent goals against Real Madrid and Manchester City. He will be keen to give either of Everton’s veteran right-backs, Ashley Young or Seamus Coleman, a difficult afternoon.
ST: Luis DÃaz – When Gakpo and Diaz have started together this season, it has often been the Colombian who has played in the center. He has done an excellent job in this role and could replace the unconvincing Darwin Núñez.
