Liverpool are next up against Everton in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
01:00, 19 Sep 2025Updated 06:29, 19 Sep 2025
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool travelled another rollercoaster on Wednesday evening as they secured a dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory at home to Atletico Madrid. Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah scored early on only for Marcos Llorente to net a brace before skipper Virgil van Dijk snatched an injury-time winner for the Reds.
Arne Slot’s side will now face another major test of their Premier League title defence when they entertain Everton on Saturday afternoon in the first Merseyside derby of the season.
And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Robertson advantage
A third game inside less than seven days suggests Slot will rotate his squad for the visit of their neighbours. Liverpool made three changes against Atletico and it would be no surprise if at least as many are made again.
The full-back positions will be the most intriguing call, with Andy Robertson having this week edged ahead of Milos Kerkez in the left-back pecking order.
At right-back, though, the situation is not so obvious. Jeremie Frimpong started against Atletico but Conor Bradley has had successive lengthy spells as substitute and is vying strongly for a place in the XI. Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez have both featured in the position already this season, but are unlikely alternatives with Frimpong and Bradley now fit.
Gomez instead remains an option at centre-back, although Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk have locked down their partnership in recent weeks. Teenage summer signing Giovanni Leoni will most like have to wait until Tuesday’s League Cup visit of Southampton for his Liverpool debut.
In goal, Alisson Becker remains the man in possession with Giorgi Mamardashvili next in line ahead of Freddie Woodman.
Szoboszlai claim
Slot has conceded Alexis Mac Allister isn’t quite fit enough yet to be starting three games in a week. But having been below par from the bench in midweek, there’s no guarantee the Argentine will be restored to the line-up.
Szoboszlai’s excellent form this season has made him one of the first names on the teamsheet and he would be favourite to continue in the double pivot alongside Ryan Gravenberch. Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones, who resumed training this week after a fortnight out injured, are also under consideration.
Both Jones and Szoboszlai are also options for the number 10 role, although Florian Wirtz’s impressive showing against Atletico indicates he may take some shifting. Hugo Ekitike is an alternative should the position be a more withdrawn striking role.
Teenager Trey Nyoni is still to make his Premier League debut, and was involved for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League game against Atletico rather than the Champions League with the first team.
Isak to stay?
In attack, Slot’s big call is whether Alexander Isak retains his place as a central striker having featured for 58 minutes on Wednesday. Ekitike, who started the previous five games, would be favourite to replace the Sweden international.
Ekitike could also challenge Cody Gakpo for his role on the left with Rio Ngumoha, who has come off the bench in three of Liverpool’s last four games, another option.
Mohamed Salah will be expected to continue on the right with Frimpong having deputised on occasion during pre-season. Federico Chiesa is back in contention having been ineligible for the Atletico victory.