Cody Gakpo absence explained as Liverpool make six changes for Merseyside derby at Everton

Jurgen Klopp makes six changes for Liverpool's visit to Everton as Cody Gakpo misses out entirely.

Gakpo, who started the 3-1 win at Fulham on Sunday, is absent due to his partner being in labour and Darwin Nunez returns to lead the line while there's a start for Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian sat out most of that victory at Craven Cottage.

Salah and Nunez were restricted to just 15 minutes each against Marco Silva's men on Sunday but are tasked with adding to their combined tally of 42 goals this term from the start in the 244th Merseyside derby.

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Gakpo's absence and Diogo Jota's injury, however, means Jayden Danns is called upon for a spot on the substitutes' bench as Klopp's attacking options become somewhat stretched at Goodison Park.

At the back, Ibrahima Konate returns for Jarell Quansah meaning the France international partners captain Virgil van Dijk. Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold keep their places on the left and right, respectively.

Klopp also names an entirely new midfield from the team that beat Fulham as Alexis Mac Allister returns in midfield alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch all drop to the bench.

Victory for the Reds will see them go level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Clark, Danns, Quansah.