Liverpool’s Shocking Derby Plan: Isak Set to Start – What Slot Reveals Will Surprise You!

Liverpool’s electrifying new signing Alexander Isak is on the cusp of making a big impact at Anfield—but whether he’ll kick off in the Merseyside derby against Everton remains up in the air until manager Arne Slot makes his call. After that hefty £125 million transfer from Newcastle, Isak has already dipped his toes in Liverpool waters with a solid hour against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Yet, the guy’s still shaking off the rust and chasing full fitness following his drawn-out move, so Slot’s playing it smart, keeping decisions tight-lipped until the last moment. It’s clear from Slot’s words that Isak’s recovery post-match will weigh heavily in the lineup puzzle. Meanwhile, there’s buzz about how Isak might pair up with fellow pricey recruit Hugo Ekitike, who’s been tearing it up since he arrived. Slot’s tactical chess game hints at flexibility—but fitness has to come first in this high-stakes showdown. The stage is set for some thrilling choices ahead. LEARN MORE.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot will make a late decision on whether record signing Alexander Isak can start the Merseyside derby against Everton.

The £125m striker made his Reds debut in midweek and played around an hour of the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.

The striker is finding full fitness after his protracted move from Newcastle and may not be risked in the lunchtitme kick-off.

Slot said: “I don’t think I tell the media a lot the day before a game. We had recovery yesterday and we are going to train this afternoon.

“First of all we just have to see how they all feel. All I know is Alex probably felt his body more than ever before after the 60 minutes he played so let’s see how he recovered today then we will see about the line-up later today and you will see tomorrow.”

Isak was relatively quiet against Atletico, showing some nice touches, but Slot is confident that he and fellow new signing Hugo Ekitike can play in the same XI.

Ekitike cost Liverpool £69m and scored in each of his first three appearances.

Slot said: “If both of them are in the best form of their life then you consider more to play them together but it is quite clear that we have a certain structure of 4-3-3.

“Hugo can play from the left, different from the way Cody [Gakpo] and Rio [Ngumoha] do this and that’s the good thing about our squad.

“We have multiple options but first of all they all have to stay fit to have these options. If all of them are not fit then we may have to use them both in a 4-4-2 but that all depends on the form of them and how many players we have available.”