Liverpool’s win over Everton on Wednesday evening was badly needed after a damaging pre-international break for the Reds.
Having been beaten by PSG and then Newcastle, the Reds were dumped out of two competitions. Losing in the Merseyside Derby would have been unthinkable.
Thankfully, Liverpool stepped up. And although it was not a perfect performance at Anfield, it was good enough to get past the in-form Toffees.
Despite a clamour from supporters to change things up in the final third, Arne Slot went with the same six midfield and attacking players who started the Carabao Cup final.
This should not have been a surprise for fans, with Slot preferring a core group of players throughout the whole of the season.
This led to a new and interesting record being broken against Everton, and it’s clear which three players sit right at the top of the list for the Liverpool head coach.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images
Arne Slot building around three players
According to statistician Michael Reid, Slot’s XI against Everton meant something had been achieved at Liverpool for the first time since 1988 this year.
“Liverpool have had 3 outfield players (Gravenberch, Salah, Van Dijk) start each of their first 30 league games of season for the first time since 1987-88 (4 – Barnes, Hansen, McMahon, Nicol),” Reid wrote on X.
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With Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah accounting for defence, midfield and attack, it’s clear that Slot has found his spine at Liverpool.
What is less clear is whether the Dutchman will be able to call upon all three of them next season.
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Gravenberch is certain to stay and at just 22 is likely to only grow in importance to Slot.
But with Van Dijk and Salah out of contract in just a few short months, the Liverpool boss may need to find two new players to rely upon next season.
Liverpool must find a new spine
Even if Van Dijk and Salah do end up staying next season, the pair will be 34 and 33 respectively by the time the campaign gets underway.
Physical specimens though they are, there is simply no chance that either can go again playing every single game in 2025/26.
It is already clear that Slot’s team is going to change somewhat next season, but this just hammers home that fact once again.
Gravenberch may well be able to do the same again and that will help Liverpool. But Slot is going to have to either bring in, or lean on, other players next time.
In the meantime, this remarkable statistic highlights the players who have been integral to Liverpool as they stand on the verge of a second Premier League title in six seasons. Slot couldn’t have done it without them.