Liverpool -Manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Curtis Jones is in line to make his comeback in Saturday’s Merseyside Derby against Everton.
The Reds come into the collision in Anfield in a floating mood, after they have saved a flawless start of the Premier League campaign. They have left victories on Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Burnley at the top of the table as the only side with a perfect record in the competition.
Momentum was further stimulated in midweek when they defeated Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the Champions League and has it recovered to secure maximum points after giving a lead of two goals.
Slot had an almost full team available for that European encounter, and the prospect that Jones returns adds an important boost prior to Saturday’s Merseyside Derby.
The midfielder has been out of operation since the narrow 1-0 triumph over Arsenal before the international break, and misses the last two matches of Liverpool due to injury. On Friday, Slot confirmed in his press conference that the 24-year-old, whom he described as a ‘completely’ Midfielder is back in the team.
“He is back in the fight,” said Slot. “I would say in the team.”
Now that Jones is available again, Liverpool has no fitness care to enter the derby. Slot, however, still has to decide whether Summer Signing Alexander Isak can risk from the start for the second time in three days.
Slot offers update on Isak
The Dutch manager has given further clarity about the condition of Isak after the attacker was taken in the 58th minute of his debut during the Midweek Champions League win in Atletico.
The Liverpool boss acknowledged that the 25-year-old will not be able to complete the entire match against Everton. Although Slot was reluctant to confirm whether the striker would keep his place in the starting XI on Saturday, he revealed that Isak still felt the after-effects of his first outing and required careful management.
At the Friday press conference, Slot noted,
‘So first of all we have to see how they all feel. What I do know is that Alex [Alexander Isak] Felt his body more, perhaps than ever before, after the 60 minutes he played.
“Let’s see how he recovered today, and then we will think about the line-up, mainly today, and you’ll hear it tomorrow.”
If Isak is omitted, it is expected that Hugo Ekitike will lead the attack for the Reds in the Merseyside Derby against an in-form Everton side.
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