Liverpool-Everton Derby: Isak and Wirtz benched as Arne Slot names bold Reds lineup

Liverpool host Everton at Anfield on Sunday in a Merseyside derby that could shape early momentum in the new Premier League season, with the defending champions aiming to extend a perfect start. Arne Slot has opted for a bold lineup shake, leaving two of the club’s most expensive signings on the bench as the internationals assemble for the famous fixture.

Liverpool’s team news confirmed two major omissions from the forward line. Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, a combined outlay of more than £240 million, were left out of the starting XI. Hugo Ekitike and Alexis Mac Allister were handed starting roles, while Conor Bradley came in at right-back and Milos Kerkez was recalled in defence. The decision marks a sharp departure from expectations in some quarters, but it aligns with Slot’s recurring approach of rotating attacking options ahead of the derby and testing depth across a demanding schedule.

Everton also named a lineup designed to counter what Liverpool can offer on the day. Vitaly Mykolenko returned from injury to take up the right-back berth, providing a clear upgrade in width and pace for the visitors. Up front, Beto was chosen to lead the line, while the wide midfield was set to feature Jack Grealish on the left wing, according to the matchday briefing. The contrast between the Reds’ evolving attacking plans and Everton’s revamped back line adds a layer of intrigue to the build-up as both sides seek to make a early-season statement.

The weather on Merseyside supplied an old derby backdrop, with rain and a brisk wind considered unlikely to dampen the atmosphere that always surrounds a clash of this magnitude. Fans from both camps have packed into Anfield, aware that form often goes out the window in these occasions and that a single moment can define the narrative of the fixture for weeks to come.

Liverpool’s selections also included a recall for Kerkez, hinting at Slot’s preference for balance in wide areas and the potential to push Mac Allister into more central roles. The bench for the Reds features a blend of seasoned performers and burgeoning talent, underscoring the manager’s intent to manage minutes while maintaining intensity across 90-plus minutes. The visitors, meanwhile, will be without a handful of regulars due to squad depth being stretched early in the campaign, but Mykolenko’s return represents a noticeable upgrade at full-back and could influence how Everton presses high up the pitch.

The rivalry on Merseyside has long been defined by urgency and emotion, with players knowing that derby wins can serve as a catalyst for confidence and momentum regardless of where a team sits in the standings. Liverpool’s hope is to maintain momentum at home, while Everton will be keen to disrupt the Reds’ rhythm and secure a result that signals their intent for the season ahead.

From a tactical perspective, Slot’s decision to field Ekitike and Mac Allister in attack suggests a shift in how Liverpool will threaten Everton’s back line, particularly if Bradley’s overlapping runs from right-back provide a consistent outlet. For Everton, Mykolenko’s presence could stabilize transitions and provide width in wide areas designed to stretch Liverpool’s defensive shape. The dynamic between the two managers—Slot’s experimental approach versus Moyes’s more traditional, compact setup—will be watched closely as the game unfolds.

As kickoff approaches, both clubs will be weighing the potential consequences of a positive result: Liverpool would extend their perfect start and deepen the sense of momentum around their title-defence narrative, while Everton would take a meaningful step toward proving their squad balance and readiness for the grind of a demanding season.

The outcome will also reverberate through the early-season table, with early bragging rights and the psychological edge that a derby win can confer. For fans, this is more than a fixture; it is a test of identity, resilience, and the ability to execute under pressure on one of football’s grandest stages.

As the match unfurls, observers will look for how Liverpool harness the new attacking combinations and whether Mykolenko’s return steadies Everton’s shape. The locker-room conversations, pre-match nerves, and tactical adjustments made by Slot and Moyes will all contribute to a Derby Day narrative that fans will be replaying for weeks, regardless of the final result.

Ultimately, this derby is about more than three points. It is a clash of philosophies, a measure of depth, and an opportunity for both teams to set a tone for the season ahead. With kick-off looming, both sides will be hoping to claim the advantage early and carry that momentum into the weeks that follow.