2 players out with injury & Diaz decision made

Let’s overlook about Liverpool’s unimaginable place on the prime of the Premier League for a second, Arne Slot has triumphed for rapidly forging a visceral reference to the fanbase, taking Jurgen Klopp’s place.

Earlier than a aggressive ball had been kicked, supporters had been subscribing to the notion that this cool-headed Dutchman and his slick and control-centric model of soccer may root itself into the membership’s DNA and proceed the work of his predecessor.

He ​​​​​​will get it. And so with Liverpool approaching a crunch Merseyside derby at Goodison Park – the final contest between Liverpool and Everton at this iconic floor – Slot’s feedback on his facet needing to match the hosts’ depth subtly spoke volumes.

With three top-flight wins on the trot, Everton might be prepared to fulfill title-chasing rivals with hearth. Liverpool know that victory at Goodison will take them 9 factors away from second-place Arsenal.

Nonetheless, this floor brings unsettling current recollections for the Reds when in a title battle.

Liverpool’s final journey to Goodison Park

Sean Dyche’s low block and resilient defending proved an excessive amount of for toothless Liverpool in April of final yr, successfully ending Klopp’s title hopes with a 2-0 victory.

Jarrad Branthwaite gave the hosts a deserved first-half lead from a nook earlier than Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s leaping header struck the ultimate nail into the proverbial coffin.

Crystal Palace’s crushing Anfield win had already shifted Liverpool into the background of an exhilarating three-horse title race, however this condemned Klopp’s facet to a season of simply the Carabao Cup, having fought for a lot extra.

That burnout might be within the recesses of followers’ minds at current, however Slot’s success in limiting accidents and maintaining his facet chugging ahead presents a completely completely different state of affairs.

Liverpool can’t lose towards their rivals as soon as once more, lest Arsenal start to assert floor and confidence because the enterprise months loom.

Liverpool crew information

Liverpool might need exited the FA Cup on Sunday, on the unsuitable finish of a giant-killing by Plymouth Argyle, however Slot will take solace in having rested the majority of his first-team squad, making ten adjustments for that dour defeat.

Joe Gomez continues to be injured, however there are tentative hopes that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be capable to play a component after lacking the previous few fixtures with a hamstring situation. Nonetheless, he’s a giant doubt and is more likely to be dominated out of really making the beginning lineup.

In midfield, Curtis Jones’ health ranges precluded him from taking part in as Liverpool crashed out of the FA Cup, however Slot is predicted to make wholesale adjustments in that division anyway.

Liverpool’s predicted line-up

If Liverpool’s restored and full-strength squad declare a priceless victory at Goodison Park this night, all might be forgiven vis-a-vis the Plymouth loss.

Caoimhin Kelleher was thwarted by Ryan Hardie’s spot kick however the current outcome wasn’t his fault. That stated, it is exhausting to think about the Irishman reprising his function between the sticks, with Alisson Becker taking part in 9 successive Premier League matches since getting back from damage.

We have famous that the £180k-per-week Trent is a doubt, and whereas this can be a concern, Conor Bradley is greater than able to thriving in his stead, having dominated at right-back final week towards Tottenham Hotspur.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are certain to return to central defence, conceding only one purpose from their previous 4 matches as a partnership (a late comfort for Ipswich City throughout final month’s thrashing).

In midfield, anticipate Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to slip again into their beginning roles, so fluid and sturdy as a central triangle.

The extensive flanks ought to be fairly easy too, with Mohamed Salah keen so as to add to his wonderful report towards Everton – seven targets and one help from 11 matches – and Cody Gakpo able to proceed his prolific run of type, hitting seven targets and one help in all competitions since Christmas.

Curiously, Luis Diaz was the only vivid spark throughout final season’s defeat on the hostile patch of Merseyside, hitting the woodwork, creating three probabilities and successful seven duels, as per Sofascore.

Nonetheless, he is not going to take Gakpo’s berth after such a depressing effort towards the Pilgrims. In his makeshift focal function, he could also be silenced by the collective muscle of the Toffees rearguard, Branthwaite and James Tarkowski certain to impose themselves.

Such a fixture could name for Darwin Nunez, whose taking pictures success has been negligible this time period however his dedication and tenacity are well-suited to this forthcoming tie.

It is a huge one alright. A win to shut the Goodison Park rivalry could be poetic, putting Liverpool inside touching distance of the title. Nonetheless, the inverse can be true for Everton, who would love nothing greater than to strike a blow to Slot’s facet.

Liverpool predicted line-up in full: (GK) Alisson; (RB) Conor Bradley, (CB) Ibrahima Konate, (CB) Virgil van Dijk, (LB) Andy Robertson; (CM) Ryan Gravenberch, (CM) Alexis Mac Allister, (AM) Dominik Szoboszlai; (RW) Mohamed Salah, (LW) Cody Gakpo, (CF) Darwin Nunez.