Arne Slot will be forced into at least one change from the PSG loss after Liverpool suffer major injury blow
As the Premier League title race enters its decisive phase, Liverpool prepare to face Everton in the latest instalment of the Merseyside derby on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Kick-off at Hill Dickinson Stadium is scheduled for 2pm GMT, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports. What should have been a routine fixture has instead been overshadowed by a significant injury crisis at Anfield and one of the most emotionally charged storylines of the season: Mohamed Salah’s final-ever appearance in a Merseyside derby.
The 33-year-old Egyptian superstar has already confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign. His Premier League farewell tour began with a goal in last week’s 2-0 victory over Fulham, yet he started on the bench for Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Salah was introduced earlier than planned after Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off with a serious injury. That moment has now triggered a major selection headache for Arne Slot.
It has since been confirmed that Ekitike will miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon injury. The blow compounds an already depleted squad and ensures Slot must make at least one enforced change from the side that faced PSG.
Injury Latest and Confirmed Team News
Liverpool’s medical room remains worryingly busy. Alisson Becker will miss a sixth consecutive game through injury, handing summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili his first taste of a Merseyside derby between the posts. Joe Gomez has also been ruled out, opening the door for Jeremie Frimpong to start at right-back despite being withdrawn at half-time against PSG.
Alexander Isak has returned to fitness following a recent lay-off, but Slot is managing the Swede’s minutes carefully. “It’s nice to have Alex back, although we also know that he is not ready to play 90 minutes yet,” the Dutch manager told reporters in Friday’s pre-match press conference. As a result, Isak is unlikely to be thrown straight into a full 90-minute derby battle just five days after his last outing.
Other long-term absentees include Endo, Bradley and Leoni, though no updated timelines were provided. Curtis Jones, who was sent off in the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park last season, remains available and could provide midfield reinforcement if required.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1)
Slot’s likely starting line-up reflects the need for rotation and the reality of the injury list:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo
On the bench, Curtis Jones offers a dependable midfield option should Slot decide to deploy Florian Wirtz as a false nine – a tactical flexibility the manager has shown willingness to explore. Mohamed Salah is expected to reclaim his familiar position on the right flank of the attacking trio, while Cody Gakpo is the most probable candidate to lead the line in Isak’s absence.
The selection carries clear analytical weight. With Alisson absent, Mamardashvili’s distribution and shot-stopping will be under immediate scrutiny in the cauldron of a derby. Frimpong’s attacking instincts at right-back could provide the width Liverpool often rely upon, especially if Everton sit deep. In midfield, the partnership of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister offers both defensive solidity and progressive passing, though the absence of a fully-fit Isak may limit Liverpool’s central penetration.
Tactical Outlook and Derby Context
The Merseyside derby has always carried unique intensity, but this edition feels particularly poignant. Salah’s impending departure adds an emotional layer that no amount of tactical preparation can fully neutralise. Slot must balance the desire to secure three vital points with the need to protect key players and manage fatigue after a demanding midweek European fixture.
Liverpool arrive on the back of a confident league win over Fulham, yet the midweek defeat to PSG highlighted vulnerabilities when forced into early substitutions and makeshift attacking setups. Everton, managed by Sean Dyche, will almost certainly approach the game with their traditional compact, counter-attacking philosophy – a setup designed to frustrate Liverpool’s possession dominance and exploit any transitional lapses.
While Everton’s specific team news was not detailed in the latest updates, the onus remains firmly on Liverpool to dictate the tempo. The predicted inclusion of creative talents such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz suggests Slot is prioritising flair and incision, even amid the injury constraints.
What It Means for Liverpool
With Salah potentially playing his final derby, the narrative writes itself. A victory would not only maintain Liverpool’s title challenge but also provide the perfect send-off for one of the club’s greatest modern icons. Yet the analytical reality is clear: Slot is navigating a minefield of selection dilemmas and fitness concerns that could define the remainder of the campaign.
Every decision – from Mamardashvili’s debut derby appearance to Gakpo’s central role and the careful calibration of Isak’s minutes – carries significant risk and reward. The coming 90 minutes at Hill Dickinson Stadium will test Liverpool’s squad depth, tactical adaptability, and mental resilience like few fixtures this season.
For now, the focus remains laser-sharp on the here and now. One final Merseyside roar for Salah. One crucial three points for Arne Slot’s injury-hit Liverpool. The stage is set.