Arne Slot slammed over Diogo Jota call v Everton – ‘What the hell?’
Arne Slot has made one change to his starting line-up as Liverpool face Everton on Wednesday evening.
He has stuck with the majority of the team that started the 2-1 loss to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on 16 March.
The Reds are hoping to restore their 12-point lead at the summit of the Premier League after Arsenal closed the gap with victory against Fulham (1 April).
Slot will be looking for his side to pick up their form again as domestic action resumes following the international break but one decision has left supporters concerned.
Liverpool make one change for Everton clash
Slot has made one change to the team that suffered defeat at Wembley with Curtis Jones coming into the starting line-up to start at right-back.
Federico Chiesa, who scored the consolation goal in the final is left on the bench despite his exploits with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz getting the nod alongside Mohamed Salah in attack.
Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch are in the starting line-up at Anfield despite suffering injury concerns during the international break but Alisson is not in the squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are also out of the clash with both expected to return to action later this month.
Come on you Reds ✊🔴 #LIVEVE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 2, 2025
Jota decision leaves Liverpool fans raging
The Reds sole focus is now on the title race after they were eliminated from the Champions League and lost the EFL Cup final.
| Premier League | Played | GD | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 29 | +42 | 70 |
| 2. Arsenal | 30 | +30 | 61 |
The Anfield outfit needs just 16 points from their last nine matches to secure the division with the Gunners only able to finish on a maximum of 85 points, if they win all of their games.
Supporters are understandably nervous given the importance of the Everton clash on the title race and the decision to start Jota has only increased concerns as he has struggled to perform lately and has not scored in his last 11 appearances.
Jota and Diaz might’ve blackmailed him. There’s no other explanation.
— zepa (@defencebyattack) April 2, 2025
Jota??? It’s gonna be a long night.
— Scarzoni (@Scarzoni) April 2, 2025
Why does he insist on playing Jota and Diaz together 🤢🤢
— DanOBrien (@Dee_O_Bee) April 2, 2025
Slot is on serious fraudwatch with his jota fascination
— Jdlfc (@JordanDelurey) April 2, 2025
I want to trust in Slot but constantly picking Jota and Diaz to start is really starting to make me doubt https://t.co/v0DsR5N9Oa
— Danielle (@Danielle91V) April 2, 2025
Jota??? What the hell ??
— Tpanola69 (@Panola69) April 2, 2025
Jota and Diaz again….this man stubborn die
— Oyewale (@chemikawale) April 2, 2025
What has Jota don this season to wven deserve a start? I won’t say much
— Lammy Visuals 📸 (@lamispaco) April 2, 2025
April fools was yesterday https://t.co/cGdS3mD0Tg
— Jacob (@Jsize18) April 2, 2025
jota starter? again? i prefer chiesa
— 💫 (@agunsux) April 2, 2025
If Slot’s side can defeat their local rivals it would take a huge burden off their backs and ease fan worries ahead of the conclusion of the season.
More importantly, it would leave the Reds needing just four wins and a draw to wrap up a 20th league crown and draw level with Manchester United.