Liverpool continue their tough run of fixtures with a big game against Everton on Saturday.
The Reds have not had much time to turn around, with this weekend’s match hot on the heels of a trip up to Newcastle on Wednesday.
Liverpool struggled against the Magpies, but will still have been pleased to salvage a 3-3 draw.
A similar result in the Merseyside Derby would not be welcomed, though, with the Reds expected to beat Everton and get back to winning ways.
Arne Slot does have a couple of headaches going into the match, however.
Injuries in the Liverpool squad are continuing to cause problems and will affect how Slot lines his team up in defence especially. Here’s what we think the Liverpool head coach will go for.
Liverpool's Joe Gomez participates in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James's Park in Newcastle, United King...
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Defence
After a stunning run of form, it’s inarguable that Caoimhin Kelleher made a crucial mistake against Newcastle.
Slot said Kelleher was disappointed in the changing room but we think he’ll have to pick himself up and go again as Alisson Becker continues his recovery. It may be his last appearance for a while.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold changed the Newcastle game after coming off the bench and having been on the pitch for just over 20 minutes at St James’ Park, he should be fresh for this one.
One man who is far from fresh is Andy Robertson. The 30-year-old has played 270 minutes over the past week-and-a-half and should be rested here.
That will mean Slot needs to get a little creative, and we think he will turn to Jurgen Klopp’s plan of using Joe Gomez at left-back. He doesn’t have many other options. That will mean Jarell Quansah and Virgil van Dijk make up the heart of the defence.
Midfield
Liverpool have further problems in midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister set to miss out on an appearance for the first time this season.
Mac Allister was not happy with the yellow card which got him suspended for this one, but he won’t feature at Goodison regardless of how he feels about it.
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Reports have suggested that Dominik Szoboszlai will start against Everton instead. Szoboszlai has been ‘excellent‘ over the past couple of games and he has a big job on Saturday.
Although he looked ready for a break on Wednesday, Ryan Gravenberch will no doubt complete the Liverpool midfield alongside Curtis Jones.
Attack
There was positive news in the Liverpool attack in midweek, as Federico Chiesa played – and scored – for the U21s.
Chiesa is slowly getting back to being ready to make an impact for the Reds, but Saturday’s game surely comes a little too soon for him, certainly to start.
That means that Slot is still picking three from four up front and after Darwin Nunez’s disappointing display at Newcastle, the trio really picks itself.
Mohamed Salah is undroppable at the moment anyway and will be desperate to extend his scoring record into an eighth consecutive game.
Meanwhile, it seems likely that Luis Diaz will go through the middle again, with Cody Gakpo on the left.
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Everton
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