Arne Slot Explains Surprise Team Selection for Merseyside Derby

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed why he opted to leave Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz on the bench for Saturday’s fiery Merseyside Derby against Everton.

The high-profile pair, both summer signings, watched from the sidelines as Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai were handed starting spots at Anfield.

Isak, who joined from Newcastle for a record-breaking £125 million, only just made his Reds debut in midweek, while Wirtz has been heavily involved since the start of the campaign.

Slot, speaking ahead of kick-off, admitted his decision was based on keeping the squad fresh after a demanding week that included fixtures against Burnley and Atletico Madrid.

“We needed players that were going to be ready for this game and going to be fit enough for the intensity of the game from the start,” Slot explained.
“That is what we tried to do throughout every line-up we have made against Burnley and Atletico for us to be ready for this game.”

Opinion: Rotation or Risk?

Slot’s decision reflects a manager thinking long-term, carefully balancing squad depth with player fitness. On paper, it makes sense—Liverpool are juggling Premier League and European commitments, and protecting big names like Isak and Wirtz could pay off later in the season.

Yet, derby games are about more than tactics; they’re about emotion and momentum. Some fans might argue that leaving two of your most gifted players out of such a high-stakes clash risks handing the early initiative to Everton. At the same time, it also shows Slot’s growing trust in his wider squad—especially newcomers like Ekitike, who now have a chance to prove their worth on one of English football’s grandest stages.

If Liverpool deliver a strong result, Slot’s rotation will look like a masterstroke. But if the Reds stumble, questions will surely follow about whether the big guns should have been unleashed from the start.