Arne Slot explains decision to drop Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz for Everton clash

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Liverpool faced Everton at Anfield, aiming to maintain their flawless start to the new season.

The champions have triumphed in their first five matches across all competitions, although each victory required late goals.

Most recently, a stoppage-time goal from Virgil van Dijk secured them a win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

It's been a swift turnaround for the Reds following that match, with Everton being the first opponents of the Premier League weekend.

Slot has shuffled his squad, most notably leaving out Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz from his starting lineup.

Isak, who was signed from Newcastle for £125million, made his debut in midweek, while Wirtz has played in every game since the start of the season.

Speaking ahead of the Merseyside derby, the Anfield boss conceded that the hectic week influenced his decision.

READ MORE:Liverpool vs Everton LIVE - score, goals, commentary stream

He stated: "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.

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.", reports the Mirror.

On the topic of resting Isak, he suggested that the Swedish player himself would concur with the decision for him not to start.

This is one of the most intense games that we have to play, so we try to manage it during Burnley and Atletico.

"For today I think Szoboszlai, who played both of those games as well, is more used to the intensity of the Premier League and this programme than Florian is coming from Germany.