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Liverpool team news v Everton: Isak and Wirtz drop to the bench among 4 changes from Atletico win

Originally posted on Empire of the Kop | By Liam Togher | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 6:19 AM ET

Liverpool and Everton will contest the 247th men’s Merseyside derby at Anfield this lunchtime, with local bragging rights once again put on the line.

The Reds come into the game as Premier League leaders, and the early kick-off gives them the chance to temporarily go six points clear if they can make it five successive home wins in this particular fixture, which the Toffees haven’t won (or even scored in) since February 2021.

However, David Moyes’ side have enjoyed a strong start to the season themselves, sitting joint-sixth after collecting seven points from their first four games, and Paul Merson is predicting them to trouble Arne Slot’s champions this afternoon.

For Liverpool, Alexander Isak made his long-awaited debut in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid in midweek. Given the tight turnaround for today’s match, though, and the £125m signing‘s gradual return to action after not playing all summer, has he made the starting line-up today?

Liverpool starting XI to face Everton

Slot has made four changes to the starting line-up from the European fixture on Wednesday night.

Alisson Becker continues in goal, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate again forming the centre-back partnership. There are changes in both full-back positions, with Conor Bradley coming in on the right and Milos Kerkez preferred to Andy Robertson on the left-hand side.

Alexis Mac Allister is restored to the starting XI alongside Ryan Gravenberch in midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai likely to take up a more advanced role as Florian Wirtz is surprisingly dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo are the starting wingers once again, and Slot recalls Hugo Ekitike at centre-forward in place of Isak.

Also among the substitutes is Curtis Jones, who’s recovered from the injury which sidelined him for the wins over Burnley and Atletico Madrid.

You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X: