Wayne Rooney claims Arne Slot paid David Moyes ultimate compliment with Florian Wirtz decision

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The German, who has started every game for the Reds so far this season, was named as a substitute for the Premier League clash at Anfield along with fellow summer signing Alexander Isak.

The Swedish striker made his debut for the club in the dramatic Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, with Wirtz also starting that game.

The Reds come into the Merseyside derby top of the league, having won all four of their opening Premier League fixtures, while Everton have also made an impressive start to the season with seven points from the same amount of games.

Ex-Blues star Rooney believes his former side will fancy their chances at Anfield this afternoon and praised Moyes' line-up for the game today.

READ MORE:Arne Slot makes Florian Wirtz Liverpool price tag claim - 'I don't think it is something' READ MORE:Arne Slot explains what he did not expect from Liverpool - ' I could go on and on'

"I think Moyes has gone there and thinks he can get something from the game," Rooney told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Everton have to be stubborn, hard to beat and with those attacking players go on and try and nick something.

"I think Arne Slot has showed a lot of respect to Everton with his lineup, leaving Wirtz out and having Szoboszlai almost in the ten and helping out in the midfield.

That is a lot of credit to Moyes and how they have started the season."

Explaining the decision to drop Isak, Slot told TNT Sports: "Normally when you don't play a player I don't think there is any player that says, 'OK I understand your decision.' OK, maybe they understand it but they may have made a different one themselves.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you ask him today that he would say it's the best choice for him not to start, but of course it is about match fitness.

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

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