Darwin Nunez participates in the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on November 9, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez could lose his place for Liverpool's derby date with Everton
Liverpool travel to Goodison Park for the final time in the league today to take on neighbours Everton. The Blues, of course, will next season move into their new stadium on the city's waterfront.
But there can be no sentiment shown on the Reds' part. Not when there is a Premier League title to be won.
Liverpool's lead at the top was cut to seven points in midweek after they had to settle for a point after a six-goal thriller at Newcastle United. While that lead remains commanding, Arsenal and Chelsea are finding form and defending champions Manchester City returned to winning ways on Wednesday after an unprecedented dip under Pep Guardiola.
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So the Reds will be looking to get back to winning ways at what has always been one of their most difficult away games. So how should Arne Slot line-up for the historic showdown?
Our Liverpool writers have their say...
Paul Gorst
The defensive options are thinning for Arne Slot and with Alexis Mac Allister suspended, it's a Liverpool team that almost picks itself for Goodison Park this Saturday.
No Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas or Ibrahima Konate and it's unlikely Alisson Becker will be involved either but I expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to return for Jarell Quansah at right-back, at least.
Dominik Szoboszlai will return in place of the suspended Mac Allister, which means Curtis Jones will likely be deployed in a deeper position in what is the last-ever Goodison Park derby.
Ryan Gravenberch needs a rest but the temptation to start Wataru Endo is too risky given the Japan international has not been named in the XI all season in the Premier League.
Up top, Luis Diaz returns but Darwin Nunez drops out and Cody Gakpo keeps his place on the left. Diaz scored a hat-trick as a No.9 against Bayer Leverkusen when deployed there last month so this is a chance for the Colombian to further build on that. Nunez can be left in reserve.
My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
Ian Doyle
What could be more greater anticipated than the Merseyside derby apart from, well, almost every other single fixture? But it's a first taste of facing Everton for Arne Slot on the last-ever such league fixture at Goodison.
What, then, is the Liverpool boss to do?
There is a big decision to be made at centre-back. Virgil van Dijk starts, but who will be alongside him? I'd be tempted to stick with Joe Gomez for this one. Trent Alexander-Arnold comes back in at right-back and Andy Robertson is left-back with Caoimhin Kelleher continuing in goal.
In midfield, there'll be at least once change with Alexis Mac Allister suspended. [Dominik Szoboszlai](http://Dominik Szoboszlai) is back in the number 10 role with Curtis Jones moving to the double pivot. Ryan Gravenberch can remain there also, but fully expect Wataru Endo to get good minutes here.
Up top, Luis Diaz can step into the team down the middle of the attack, with Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo on the left.
My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
Theo Squires
It’s derby day! And Arne Slot is going to have to make changes as Liverpool look to return to winning ways away at Everton.
Having shone off the bench against Newcastle United, Trent Alexander-Arnold has to come back into the starting XI. Jarell Quansah drops out as a result, with Joe Gomez continuing at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Alexis Mac Allister is suspended so midfield pretty much picks itself. Curtis Jones drops into the deeper position, with Dominik Szoboszlai starting at number 10. Ryan Gravenberch has to go again despite a tired midweek display, with a first start of the season for Harvey Elliott instead held back for Girona.
Darwin Nunez was poor against Newcastle United so he drops to the bench, as Luis Diaz comes back in to lead the line. Federico Chiesa could come into contention after a 60-minute showing for the Under-21s on Wednesday, but he can be limited to substitute action at best.
My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.