Arne Slot to finally axe Luis Diaz – Liverpool predicted XI v Everton
Liverpool are set to face bitter rivals Everton in the final Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s side head into the derby on the back of a disastrous week before the international break, which saw Liverpool eliminated from the Champions League and beaten in the Carabao Cup final.
With Liverpool 12 points clear of Arsenal, the Premier League title is edging closer, but there must not be any room for complacency heading into the final months of the season.
Liverpool’s performance against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final was dismal, and Slot could now make a key change as a result.
Slot to drop Luis Diaz vs Everton
One change is likely to be made in attack. Luis Diaz has performed poorly in recent months and was well below par against Newcastle.
Cody Gakpo was only fit enough for the bench at Wembley, but the Dutchman now looks set to return on the left wing, with Diaz dropping out.
The Colombian failed to register a single shot against Newcastle (FotMOB) and completed just one dribble in an anonymous 74 minutes in the final.
| Stat | Luis Diaz |
| Appearances | 140 |
| Goals | 37 |
| Assists | 20 |
Diaz has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, but has failed to find the back of the net in his last seven league games, and his frustrating performances may now cost him his place in the team.
Liverpool shake off injuries v Everton
Liverpool would ideally make more changes following such a poor performance, but injuries at the back will prevent Slot from rotating too much.
The international break and the lack of Champions League football for the rest of the campaign mean that the squad can be kept fresh throughout for the run-in.
Alisson came back from Brazil duty early with a suspected concussion, but he is now expected to be fit to start in goal.
Ibrahima Konate suffered a knock while playing for France, but indications point towards the centre-back starting alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley are also absent, leaving Slot with little alternative but to stick with Jarrel Quansah on the flank.
The midfield three is expected to remain the same, with Ryan Gravenberch to continue starting, which will mean Curtis Jones starts on the bench, having been sent off against Everton in February.
Mohamed Salah will start on the opposite wing to Gakpo, with Diogo Jota likely to play upfront and Darwin Nunez on the bench.