Slot without star player after injury news – Liverpool predicted XI v Everton
Trent Alexander-Arnold may miss out when Liverpool face Everton on Wednesday evening despite returning to training.
The Reds travel to Goodison Park looking to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League to nine points.
However, their task may be made even harder if they are without the England star, who missed the EFL Cup victory over Tottenham (6 February) and the FA Cup loss to Plymouth (9 February) with a thigh problem.
Arne Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference (11 February) that the Anfield outfit will make a late decision on the 26-year-old’s involvement in the contest.
Liverpool to make 11 changes v Everton
The Reds are expected to make sweeping changes to the side that lost 1-0 to the Championship bottom-dwellers on Sunday.
Alisson Becker is predicted to return between the sticks after Caoimhin Kelleher started the two cup matches in which Slot’s side had contrasting fortunes.
Conor Bradley is expected to get the nod at right-back if Alexander-Arnold does not overcome his injury, with the formidable duo of Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence and Andy Robertson completing the backline.
Ryan Gravenberch has excelled at the base of the Reds’ midfield this season and is predicted to return to the starting line-up for the final Goodison Park derby.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are predicted to complete the engine room against the Blues, the latter has gone under the radar this season with five goals and four assists in 31 matches in all competitions. [Fotmob]
Mohamed Salah to return for Liverpool v Everton
Mohamed Salah was rested for the Plymouth loss but is expected to return against the Toffees, the Egyptian will be looking to add to his Premier League tally of 21 goals and 13 assists in 23 matches against David Moyes’ side.
Darwin Nunez might get the nod over Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota upfront and could prove to be a handful for James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite with his aggression, pace and physicality.
Cody Gakpo is predicted to continue on the left-hand side of attack, the Dutch winger has notched five contributions (four goals, one assist) in his last four matches, so the Blues will need to be wary of the threat that he poses.
The Goodison Park outfit have been given an 18.2 per cent chance to win the contest by the Opta analyst supercomputer.
If they are to continue their three-match winning run in the league and prove the supercomputer wrong, they will need to handle their arch-rivals’ deadly attack.