Liverpool manager Arne Slot has sent David Moyes a clear message ahead of Everton’s trip to Anfield later this week.
The first Merseyside Derby of the season is going to provide the Toffees with a real opportunity to make a statement in the Premier League.
Everton’s city rivals come into the game on Saturday having faced a gruelling test on Wednesday evening against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Despite this, Robbie Fowler has predicted Liverpool to beat Everton comfortably even though the Blues have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign.
Moyes has been delighted with Everton’s summer business having brought in some real quality players like Jack Grealish.
With the big game now just a matter of hours away, Slot has issued a clear message to Moyes on his plans for the game at Anfield.
Liverpool FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1
Photo by Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Arne Slot issues clear David Moyes plan ahead of Liverpool vs Everton
Everton are not going to have Jarrad Branthwaite return from injury in time for the Merseyside Derby on the weekend.
There are a number of injury worries at Finch Farm ahead of the game, but Liverpool have already been handed a major boost.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Speaking to the media after the game, Slot informed Moyes that Alexander Isak will be available to play some considerable minutes on Saturday.
“Do you ask that from David?” Slot replied when asked whether Isak will play at the weekend.
“I was positively surprised by how fit he was during that 60 minutes but that maybe, probably, tells you that it might be a difference to sign a 20-year-old from a different league or a 25- or 26-year-old that is used to playing in this league. Although he only trained for two weeks, he has so many games under his belt that he is probably more able to be ready for 60.
“Yeah, a good start, only 60 minutes and now we have to build him up from here. But I can tell you he is not going to play 90 again on Saturday.
“I can tell David, or you can tell David that he is not going to play 90 on Saturday.”
Referee Darren England will officiate the Merseyside Derby, who is a referee that Everton have fared well under in recent years.
But it is clear that if Everton are to beat Liverpool, they will be doing so against a full strength side at Anfield.
Everton could give Liverpool a real shock in Merseyside Derby
The Toffees have surprised a number of people already this season after taking seven points from their opening four games.
Owen Hargreaves predicted Everton to finish 15th this season, which already looks like the former Manchester United midfielder will be proven hugely wrong.
With players of real quality like Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at their disposal, Everton are in a good position to cause an upset.
It is up front where Everton could experience some issues.
Everton hero Duncan Ferguson has encouraged Beto to play with more physicality as he looks to build on his goal against Wolves.
But Everton have shown enough in these early stages that they could cause the Reds some issues.