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Liverpool has confirmed its starting XI for the visit of Everton to Anfield in the 247th Merseyside derby, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz dropping to the bench.
Alisson Becker is in the Liverpool goal, with Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez making up the back four. Ryan Gravenberch is joined by Alexis Mac Allister in a bolstered midfield, alongside Hungary star Dominik Szoboszlai.
In attack, German playmaker Florian Wirtz, who is still getting used to English soccer, is among the substitutes. Hugo Ekitike comes into the team with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah on either flank.
In addition to Isak and Wirtz, Liverpool also has the likes of Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha to change the game off the bench. The latter are likely to get a start in the League Cup on Tuesday when Southampton comes to Anfield in the third round.
"I know that this is an occasion that everyone at both clubs looks forward to and the date is one that the supporters will look for as soon as the fixtures come out," Arne Slot writes in the official matchday program.
"Having been involved in two highly competitive, contrasting Merseyside derby matches last season, I fully understand why. The drama and the passion of both of these games underlined everything that the derby is about.
"It makes sense that we should expect today’s encounter to be pretty similar because this is what local rivalry is always likely to bring, especially in a city like ours, where football means so much no matter which club you support.
"At the same time, we should also recognize the other side of this rivalry, a side that perhaps does not get talked about enough given how much focus there understandably is on the drama.
"This side was visible once again during the summer following the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. In our hour of need, Everton reached out in word and in deed to demonstrate that they stood with us."
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On his hopes for an improved performance after requiring late winners in each of the Reds' first five matches of the new season, Slot added: "As a coach you are always striving for perfection even though you know this is not really possible
"But the other big positive from my point of view is this group of players will be as determined as I am to make the improvements that we all know are necessary. It is not that they leave the pitch after a big win and sit back and enjoy the moment."
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