Arne Slot drops lineup hint ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Everton | OneFootball

Liverpool Team News: Arne Slot Weighs Forward Options Ahead of Everton Clash

Liverpool head into a crucial Merseyside derby with Everton facing a familiar problem this season, how to structure the attack when key forwards are unavailable. Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2024-25, is once again being forced to think creatively.

Injury Blow Forces Liverpool Rethink

The loss of Hugo Ekitike is a significant setback for Liverpool. The striker suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during the Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and well into the next campaign. It is a harsh twist in what has already been a stop start year for Liverpool’s attacking unit.

There had already been questions about squad balance following the arrivals of both Alexander Isak and Ekitike last summer. Injuries have ensured that debate never truly settled, with the pair rarely available together. Now, with Ekitike sidelined and Isak not yet fully fit, Arne Slot must adjust again.

Gakpo and Chiesa Step Into Focus

Slot has made it clear that solutions already exist within the squad. Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Everton, he said, “There are a lot of players who can fill in that position, but those players have played in different positions throughout their lives more and more.”

Cody Gakpo appears the most natural candidate to lead the line. His second half performance against PSG offered encouragement, showing movement and composure in tight areas. Federico Chiesa is another option, bringing energy and directness, though his profile is slightly different.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot acknowledged both possibilities, adding, “He’s not ready for 90 minutes yet. He’s getting closer and closer and now we need him, but there are different options to play as a nine as well, Federico Chiesa is also one of them as well. There are different options.”

Isak Fitness Key For Everton Fixture

Much of the focus will inevitably fall on Isak. The Swedish forward is edging closer to full fitness, but Liverpool are expected to manage his minutes carefully. This is not just about the Everton game, it is about ensuring he can contribute consistently during the closing stages of the campaign.

There is a realistic scenario where Isak starts against Everton but is withdrawn early, possibly at half time or shortly after the hour mark. Another option would see him introduced from the bench, allowing Gakpo or Chiesa to begin the match centrally.

Selection Decisions Shape Liverpool Approach

For Liverpool, this is about balance as much as personnel. Gakpo offers structure and link up play, Chiesa provides unpredictability, while Isak, even at reduced capacity, remains the most natural finisher.

Everton will expect a physical contest, and Slot’s selection will reveal how he intends to approach it. Whether Liverpool prioritise control or pace in transition could hinge on which forward starts.

What is clear is that Liverpool still possess enough depth to navigate these challenges. Injuries have disrupted rhythm, but they have also created opportunities for others to step forward at decisive moments in the season.