Liverpool face Everton tomorrow as the Reds gear up for the first Merseyside derby of the season. Despite an unbeatable run through the season, Arne Slot might be in for a surprise following the refereeing decision by the Football Association.
Englishman Darren England will be the one refereeing Saturday’s Merseyside derby. The referee was previously banned from officiating Liverpool games after a disallowed goal in 2023.
Luis Díaz scored one against Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 as England, who was in charge of VAR, disallowed the goal. This was a pretty significant decision as the Merseysiders went on and lost the game against Spurs.
Arne Slot’s side has not lost a single game this season except the FA Community Shield final against Crystal Palace. The Eagles were led by Marc Guéhi as the Shield stayed in London following Liverpool’s loss on penalties.
However, the Reds have not lost a single game after that day, winning all four in the English Premier League with a follow-up against Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Everton, on the other hand, have had a mixed bag, but the Blues remain unbeaten in their last four games. The Toffees drew against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa as Eddie Howe’s side held their ground at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Arne Slot gives injury updates before Liverpool face Everton
Curtis Jones will be back against Everton (Credits: Imago Images)
Arne Slot has given some important updates regarding player injuries before the Merseyside Derby. Curtis Jones had been out for a long time, but the Liverpool native has seemingly made a recovery.
Jones was injured before the international break against Arsenal and has been out ever since. The Englishman also didn’t receive an international call-up from Thomas Tuchel and spent his time at the club’s facilities recovering.
“He is back in the fray! In the squad, I would say”, Slot told the media. Alexis Mac Allister was another midfielder who recently raised concerns regarding match fitness.
The Argentine came back fit and fine from the international break but had bad news waiting for him against Burnley at Turf Moor.
However, the attacker returned against Atlético de Madrid when Slot’s side thrashed the Spanish giants in a dramatic 3-2 victory at Anfield.
Mac Allister garnered 32 minutes through the match and is set to be an option against Everton. “I think all of them are fit now, and I think I can choose between 21 players. That’s quite normal, isn’t it?” Slot exclaimed.
