Liverpool line-ups as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez decisions made for Everton

Paul Gorst - Quansah gets the nod as key men return

So no Diogo Jota for the Merseyside derby then as the Portugal forward joins the list of absentees for the next fortnight or so.

That whittles down the choice for the three-man frontline to four and while Darwin Nunez is the obvious replacement, there's an argument to be made for the more cerebral, subtle qualities of Cody Gakpo, who, in full fairness, has been in good form of late.

I'm going to plump for Gakpo to lead the line with Luis Diaz on the left and Mohamed Salah, who bagged twice in this fixture at Anfield, stationed on the right side.

Behind that trio, Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister both start and I'm keeping Harvey Elliott in there too. The 21-year-old's ability to look after the ball will be vital in the blue-hot cauldron of Goodison Park tonight. Dominik Szoboszlai can come in if needed for some dynamism in the final third.

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At the back, I'm keeping it as it was against Fulham with Jarell Quansah handed the chance to impress alongside Virgil van Dijk. A lot of Everton's threat will depend on their ability to service Dominic Calvert-Lewin, should he start, so it's a big night for Quansah who has enjoyed a fine season.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Ian Doyle - Jones gets chance in midfield reshuffle

Who doesn't love the Merseyside derby, apart from every single person who has ever been to one or has a vested interest in the fixture?

Jurgen Klopp admits he's not too chuffed with them either, but at least tonight will be his last one as Liverpool head across Stanley Park to Everton aiming for the win to keep pace with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

What, then, is Klopp to do?

There should not be any change in defence. So that means Alisson Becker in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Andy Robertson on the left and Jarell Quansah partnering captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

Rotation arrives in midfield, where Wataru Endo can be joined by the returning Alexis Mac Allister to his right and Curtis Jones to his left.

And up top, Mohamed Salah returns on the right flank, Cody Gakpo can move to the centre and Luis Diaz shifts back to the left.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Theo Squires - Konate and Salah return

Jurgen Klopp will have to make at least one change to his Liverpool side to face Everton, with it confirmed that Diogo Jota is set to be ruled out for the next two weeks. Though, after springing five changes against Fulham on Sunday, don’t expect him to stop there.

Mohamed Salah surely comes back into the attack in place of the injured Jota after being limited to substitute duty at Craven Cottage.

The in-form Cody Gakpo keeps his place, leaving Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz vying for that final berth.

The out-of-form Uruguayan hasn’t started the last two, while the Colombian has started all but one game since the March international break. The need for fresh legs could hint at a rest for Diaz, but as I’m the one picking this team, he’s playing well and can keep his place. Besides, Nunez is more capable of providing a match-defining impact from the bench.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister returns to the starting XI after being benched at Fulham, and in his favoured attacking berth too as
Wataru Endo keeps his place. Despite Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch both impressing on Sunday, Curtis Jones is recalled to
complete the trio ahead of an out-of-sorts Dominik Szoboszlai.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate can come back into the defence in place of Jarell Quansah, but the rest of the back five are unchanged.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.