Liverpool’s team news is in for the highly anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park, with Arne Slot making ten changes to the side.
Luis Diaz Retains His Place as Slot Shuffles the Squad
Luis Diaz is the only player to keep his spot from the team that was eliminated from the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round. The Colombian forward leads the attack, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota start on the bench, while Federico Chiesa is left out following a disappointing performance at Home Park.
As expected, Slot has reshaped the midfield, bringing in Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. Curtis Jones, who was an unused substitute against Plymouth after admitting he wasn’t fully fit, remains on the bench.
Defensive Adjustments See Bradley Return, Alisson Back in Goal
Conor Bradley starts at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold not risked due to a thigh injury sustained earlier this season at Bournemouth. Slot had considered playing the vice-captain, but the Northern Ireland full-back gets the nod after impressing in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Andy Robertson complete the backline, while Alisson Becker returns to take his place between the posts.
Liverpool Starting XI:
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Substitutes:
Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Alexander-Arnold, Jota, Quansah, Elliott, Tsimikas, Jones.