Ngumoha starts and Mo Salah on the bench: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Everton - opinion

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Liverpool and Everton are set to go head-to-head in a Premier League meeting on Sunday, and Arne Slot has a number of big calls to make.After suffering a long-term injury against PSG in midweek, Hugo Ekitike will, of course, miss the last Merseyside derby of the campaign.Elsewhere, Slot has ruled out Joe Gomez, leaving a lack of depth in Liverpool’s defence once more.Everton are chasing down the Reds in the race for fifth place, and with a tricky run of games on the horizon, the current Premier League champions can’t afford to drop any points on Sunday. Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?

Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Everton sees Mohamed Salah benchedBut given their inconsistent form and injury issues, Slot’s options for the game are slightly limited.With Alisson still sidelined, we know that barring any last-minute issues, Giorgi Mamardashvili will start between the sticks.After he was benched in midweek for Milos Kerkez, who has struggled to play multiple games in the space of a week, Andy Robertson could come in at left-back.Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are also obviously nailed-on starters as Liverpool do not have any other fit, senior centre-backs right now.With Gomez out, expect Dominik Szoboszlai to be used in the right-back role on April 19.Similarly, with such a lack of quality midfield depth available, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are once again expected to start at the base.Florian Wirtz should then be placed in his preferred central attacking midfield role, with Rio Ngumoha starting ahead of Cody Gakpo on the left.Alexander Isak probably won’t be able to complete 90 minutes against the Toffees, but he will likely be given the nod as the nine before being replaced by Gakpo in the second half. How do you feel about Alexander Isak starting against Everton?

And with Hugo Ekitike out, who should be Liverpool's front three at the Hill Dickinson? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill/Fantasista On the right, Mohamed Salah should be left on the bench in place of Jeremie Frimpong.Frimpong obviously isn’t a natural winger, but Salah’s form of late is really concerning, and given the high-profile nature of this game, the Egyptian shouldn’t be starting.Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Everton: Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Frimpong, Isak, NgumohaJoin Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox