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Liverpool make their first-ever visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this Sunday for the inaugural Merseyside derby at Everton's new ground.
Having been eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in midweek — going down 4–0 on aggregate to the French club — Liverpool are in desperate need of a strong showing against their bitter local rivals.
A win would not only hand the Reds bragging rights, but also push them closer to securing a top-five Premier League finish and Champions League qualification.
Hugo Ekitiké Suffers Devastating Injury Blow
Liverpool suffered a crushing injury blow midweek when Hugo Ekitiké tore his Achilles tendon during the PSG match. The French attacker faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup, with a potential return not expected until 2027.
Joe Gomez also picked up an injury against PSG, with Slot ruling him out of the trip to Everton due to a muscle strain. He joins an already crowded treatment room alongside Alisson, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endō, and Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool are certain to ring the changes following Tuesday's loss, with Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Alexis Mac Allister among those who could be rested in favor of fresher options.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Everton (4-2-3-1)
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili — With Alisson still sidelined, Mamardashvili gets the chance to feature in his first Merseyside derby. The Georgian shot-stopper is gradually settling in at Anfield, though his distribution remains an area for improvement.
RB: Jeremie Frimpong — Yet another injury to Gomez, combined with Bradley's prolonged absence, leaves Slot with little choice but to deploy Frimpong at right back at the Hill Dickinson.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté — As the season draws to a close, Konaté's future at the club remains shrouded in doubt. The Frenchman has yet to pen a new deal and could walk away on a free transfer this summer.
CB: Virgil van Dijk — Van Dijk will need to step up and lead from the back in what promises to be a hostile atmosphere, though his consistency in such high-pressure situations has wavered this season.
LB: Andy Robertson — Potentially his final Merseyside derby as a Liverpool player, the departing Scotsman's experience and defensive solidity should provide more security down the left than Kerkez typically offers.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch — It has been a mixed ride for both Liverpool and Gravenberch since the midfielder scored and set up a goal in September's derby win over Everton.
CM: Curtis Jones — Slot may turn to his last remaining homegrown Scouser for this hugely important fixture, giving the worn-out Mac Allister a well-earned breather.
RW: Mohamed Salah — Salah has consistently left his mark on this fixture throughout his nine seasons on Merseyside. Could Sunday bring one final defining moment for the Egyptian King in the derby?
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai — Despite a largely disappointing season for the Reds, Szoboszlai emerges with considerable credit and looks set to be Liverpool's key creative force if they are to claim all three points on Sunday.
LW: Rio Ngumoha — Following an outstanding display and goal against Fulham last weekend, Slot can no longer afford to keep Ngumoha on the bench — particularly in the wake of Ekitiké's injury. The youngster would become the youngest-ever scorer in a Merseyside derby should he find the net at the Hill Dickinson.
ST: Alexander Isak — Slot has acknowledged that Isak is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes following his return from injury, but with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa the only realistic alternatives in attack, the Swedish striker remains the top choice up front.