Liverpool team vs Everton predicted as Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah decisions made

Liverpool faces Everton in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium today, with a number of big decisions facing Arne Slot as the Reds chase Champions League qualification

Rio Ngumoha could return to Liverpool's starting lineup against Everton(Image: Getty Images)

It’s top five or bust now for Liverpool as it looks to salvage something from what has been a dismal season.

Having had its hopes of a seventh European crown ended by Paris Saint-Germain, all attention now turns to the Premier League and securing qualification for next season’s Champions League. The first stop sees the Reds making a first-ever visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the Merseyside derby.

Defeat to Everton is never an option any Liverpool fan would want to consider, and even more so when the stakes are as high as they are with just six league games remaining.

Arne Slot’s side has been inadvertently helped by Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Saturday, which strengthens its hold on the last Champions League qualification spot. Everton though could turn the heat up with a win today, which would leave it just two points behind.

Liverpool will want to avoid that prospect at all costs. The problem is, the injuries are piling up at the wrong time for Slot.

Hugo Ekitike is out for the rest of the season, and Joe Gomez is the latest to step into the treatment room. In some ways, that may make selection today a little easier, although you can’t help but feel the squad is beginning to look more than a little threadbare.

With no word on Alisson Becker’s fitness from Slot on Friday, there is an air of mystery as to whether the goalkeeper will be back to face the Toffees. The safe bet is that Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in goal, but Liverpool’s No.1 is expected to be back soon.

The back four practically picks itself now, given there is little to choose from in defense. Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez all keep their places after starting against PSG.

There could be changes further up the pitch though. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch will likely retain their places in midfield, but there are growing questions over Alexis Mac Allister’s position.

The Argentine has not been in great form, and it feels as though some time out of the side might be for the best. He can drop to the bench, with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch operating behind Florian Wirtz - although the German needs to be producing more as well.

Having taken the odd decision to name both Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah on the bench in midweek, despite being the two standout players against Fulham just a few days prior, Slot should make amends this time by restoring both to the starting line-up, which just leaves a question over who starts up front.

Alexander Isak could start again for Liverpool against Everton(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA via Getty Images)

Obviously, Ekitike is out of the question now, which likely leaves it as a decision between Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.

The decision to start Isak against PSG was a very strange one, and it didn’t pay off, with his 45 minutes on the pitch failing to yield any results. At the same time though, Gakpo does look desperately short of confidence.

Liverpool will only be playing once per week from here on out, so if Slot is going to get something out of Isak before the end of the season, he probably needs to keep him in the side and build up his minutes. It’s not the most convincing solution, but the Swede keeps his place.

Liverpool predicted team vs Everton: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Isak.