Liverpool line-ups for derby vs Everton as Alexander Isak and Rio Ngumoha calls made
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The ECHO's Liverpool writers pick their teams for Sunday's Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium Chief Liverpool FC Writer, Mark Jones Liverpool Content Editor - Sport and Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent06:00, 19 Apr 2026Updated 08:38, 19 Apr 2026The 248th Merseyside derby will break new ground as Liverpool are entertained by Everton for the first time at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.The Champions League-chasing Reds are out to make it back-to-back wins in the league, having beaten Fulham 2-0 at Anfield last week to strengthen their top-five claims.However, David Moyes's side have European aspirations of their own and will look to inflict an 18th defeat of the campaign on Arne Slot, whose side were knocked out of the European Cup on Tuesday night by holders Paris Saint-Germain, who won 2-0 at Anfield to triumph 4-0 on aggregate.Here, as always, our ECHO writers pick their XIs on derby day.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! He may well want to go on with a flourish.Andy Robertson starts for me just for his big-game experience and he knows exactly what this fixture means to the people who support Liverpool and the city itself.
He is joined by Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz.My team (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Ngumoha.Ian DoyleWho doesn't love the Merseyside derby? In central defence remains Ibrahima Konate alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister just about holds on to his position with Ryan Gravenberch at the base, while Florian Wirtz is the number 10.And up top is a complete change, with Rio Ngumoha on the left, Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo down the middle.My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo.Mark JonesThe PSG game was disappointing but there was enough in the performance to ensure that Liverpool shouldn't be too downhearted after that downpour.
The big question though is can they do it on a sunny Sunday at Hill Dickinson Stadium?The XI that tries to will surely have Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, and I'd be putting Dominik Szoboszlai back to right-back here as his physicality will be crucial. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk then play as the centre-backs, and I'd go with Andy Robertson at left-back for reasons that will become apparent.Then it is Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield, with Mohamed Salah restored to the right, Florian Wirtz in the middle and Rio Ngumoha unleashed on the left, where he'll benefit from Robertson's experience behind him.The I'd give Cody Gakpo a go from the start upfront, with Alexander Isak ready for a half hour, potentially crucial cameo.My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Gakpo.