£48M Liverpool star to return to starting XI for Everton clash

Liverpool host Everton at Anfield tonight at 8 PM (UK) in the Premier League.

It will be the 242nd Merseyside derby with both teams ready to fight to turn their respective seasons around.

Sean Dyche was recently hired by the Blues to replace Frank Lampard as the Evertonians are languishing in 18th just 3 points above bottom-placed Southampton.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are 10th-placed and 12 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.

With such an enthralling game ready to unfold, how could Jurgen Klopp set his team up for victory?

In this article we take a look at the team selection options available to the German manager.

Goalkeeper

Despite Liverpool's, struggles, Alisson Becker has come through this season as the only player covering himself in any glory.

The Brazilian may be the only reason his side isn't any further down the Premier League table.

Liverpool have already conceded 28 goals in 20 Premier League games. Alisson will be needed to ensure the Reds take points from a game that has historically been difficult to predict.

Everton showed much greater attacking intent in Sean Dyche's first game in charge, surprisingly beating Arsenal 1-0.

Alisson will need to be at his best but he needs more protection than he has been afforded recently.

Left-back

At left-back, Andy Robertson should start but the Scotsman needs to raise his performance level.

His partner in crime, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has been on the receiving end of most of the criticism but Robertson hasn't exactly been in top form this season.

Liverpool have been lacking creativity from wide areas and if Robertson can once again show why he's still one of the best fullbacks in the world, results could start going Liverpool's way.

Centre-back

Given Jurgen Klopp's injury crisis, he's very limited for options at the back.

Nathaniel Phillips and Joe Gomez are likely to partner each other. Joel Matip has been poor this season and it may be time for him to take a break before returning re-energised.

Virgil van Dijk has only just returned to full team training so should not be risked.

Gomez has had some terrible defensive moments this season but a season can be revolutionised by key displays from key players.

Up against a powerful team like Everton, Liverpool will need a player like Phillips.

The Englishman is a no-nonsense defender and given the shocking nature of Liverpool's form at the moment, it's probably best if the Reds focus on the basics instead.

Right-back

With the latest injury report revealing Calvin Ramsay will be out injured in the long term, Trent Alexander-Arnold will definitely start.

There is no doubting Trent's creativity but right now, more than anything, Liverpool need him to find his defensive form and put in a strong showing.

While the right-back will be the first to admit he has been poor this season, he needs more support from his midfield.

The 24-year-old is only able to make an impact in the final third if he can trust his teammates behind him to help defensively.

Holding-midfield

Fabinho to return.

This may be a controversial take among some Liverpool fans but it's too much to ask Stefan Bajcetic to dominate a midfield featuring the likes of Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye.

Controlling the midfield is where Liverpool will win or lose this game. Fabinho, valued at £48M, needs to prove that he is still the man to ground this midfield.

It's been the biggest issue plaguing this team for the last two years and is an issue that first reared its head when Georginio Wijnaldum was allowed to leave for free in 2021.

Fabinho has been very poor this season, rightfully being dropped but in a game that is likely going to be decided by pace and power, Bajcetic is at risk of being overrun.

Left centre-midfield

Naby Keita has been okay since returning from injury but he's shown flashes of the brilliance that prompted Liverpool to spend £52M on him in 2018.

We're unlikely to see that player again as injuries have wreaked havoc on his body but with just over four months remaining on his Liverpool contract, there is still time for him to win favour with supporters.

Given the powerful nature of Everton's midfield, Keita's nuance and creativity will be key to releasing the Liverpool front three into space to finish.

Right centre-midfield

Jordan Henderson looks set to start tonight after Jurgen Klopp vehemently defended his captain.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the German said that Henderson is and never has been an issue in his team.

He said: “I don’t understand why we talk about one player, I mean it.

“Hendo, I hope everyone knows how much I respect him. Hendo is not our problem, never was and never will be.

“When he is ready, in good shape and the rest, he played 98 percent of the games we had. Now he didn’t start for three games, came on and that’s the situation.

“He played all of these games because he’s a very, very, very important player for us. That’s the only reason for it, there is no other reason for it.

“So when he’s not playing then you miss that, that’s how it is. Easy as that. Yes, he is very important.”

The main two issues that continue to hold Henderson back is his careless attitude in possession and his failure to track dangerous runs from midfield.

With Thiago Alcantara set to miss up to a month with a hip problem, Henderson needs to be more careful with his passing and actively needs to avoid hoofing the ball forward aimlessly.

Left-wing

Since joining Liverpool, Cody Gakpo hasn't exactly hit the run ground running.

Yet, a Merseyside derby could be the perfect launchpad for his career at Anfield. Playing a key role in a win tonight could be just what he needs to break out and feature in a key role over the next three and a half months.

At the moment, it seems as though the front three is lacking chemistry as attacks appear disjointed.

Gakpo proved at the World Cup that he is good enough for this level but he needs to start making an impact as soon as possible.

Striker

So far this season, Nunez has been the most entertaining player at Liverpool.

10 goals and 3 assists is a decent return but once Nunez starts scoring freely, Premier League teams are going to be extremely worried.

His decision-making in finishing scenarios has let him down but the Uruguayan is still very raw. Once he refines his game and is a more reliable figure in front of goal, Liverpool will win games with ease.

A goal tonight could be the confidence boost that propels Nunez into a talismanic role before the end of the season.

Right-wing

I believe Mohamed Salah has earned the right to slack off a little but despite what many claim, the Egyptian is contributing more than he gets credit for.

He's comfortably Liverpool's top goalscorer this season and with a little more help, he could quite easily manage 30 goals in all competitions this season.

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has 4 goals against Everton including a wonderful double he scored in December, 2021.

Despite a respectable goal contribution this season, Salah needs to do more in the build-up. It seems as though he is often on the fringes of games and if he can pick up more positions closer to goal, he may find more luck.

Trent Alexander-Arnold not being able to overlap as much has also limited his ability to find space to work his magic.

Predicted starting XI: Alisson; Robertson, Phillips, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Keita, Henderson; Gakpo, Nunez, Salah.

Result prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Everton