Arne Slot faces key decisions in regards to his team selection ahead of Everton’s visit to Anfield on Saturday
After a dramatic midweek Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, Arne Slot is already shifting his attention back to Premier League matters, with the Merseyside derby looming on the horizon.
Following Wednesday’s 3-2 victory, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from Virgil van Dijk, Everton travel to Anfield on Saturday for the first meeting between the neighbours this season, kicking off at 12.30pm.
Liverpool go into the clash riding a wave of momentum, having secured another late winner in Europe, but Slot is cautious about rushing any decisions over his squad, particularly regarding the match fitness of record signing Alexander Isak.
The Swedish striker featured in the starting XI against Atletico and played 58 minutes before being substituted. Slot revealed that Isak is still building up to 90 minutes after a disrupted pre-season.
Speaking in his pre match press conference ahead of the fixture he said:
“I don’t think I tell the media a lot the day before the game, how we start the game!” Slot said ahead of the Everton fixture. “We had recovery yesterday, we’re going to train this afternoon. So first of all we have to see how they all feel. What I do know is that Alex did feel his body more maybe than ever before after the 60 minutes he played. So let’s see how he’s recovered today and then we’ll think about the line-up, mainly today, and you will hear it tomorrow.”
In another boost for the Reds, midfielder Curtis Jones is back in contention after missing both the Premier League clash against Burnley and the Champions League opener versus Atletico due to a muscle injury.
Slot confirmed: “He’s back in the frame. In the squad, I would say.”
Liverpool currently sit atop the Premier League table, maintaining a perfect record after wins against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Burnley. Confidence in the camp is high after another late dramatic victory in Europe, but Slot remains measured in his approach to team selection.
With Jones available and no major injury concerns ahead of the derby, the main question for Slot is whether Isak can start a second match in just three days.
