By Liam Grace

Copyright metro

Alexander Isak is set to play in the Premier League for Liverpool for the first time (Picture: Getty)

Alexander Isak looks set to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool when they take on Everton in the Merseyside derby today.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed if Isak would start – but he should at least come off the bench if the £125m summer signing is not named in the starting line-up.

The former Newcastle striker started Liverpool’s Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and could start up top with Slot hinting on Friday that Hugo Ekitike may be moved over to the left wing role.

The Reds head into today’s clash at Anfield top of the table – having been the only team to win all four of their opening top-flight games – but it will be no easy task against their rivals, who are always fired up for the derby.

Everton have been in impressive form themselves, with the Toffees sixth in the league going into the Merseyside derby, suffering just one Premier League defeat thus far.

Jack Grealish has shined since joining Everton on loan from Manchester City and was named the Premier League Player of the Month for August.

Liverpool have no players ruled out for the clash against Everton, with Slot confirming that Curtis Jones has returned from injury in his pre-match press conference.

Liverpool’s Curtis Jones is back from injury (Picture: Getty)

There are two potential injury absentees for Everton, though, with Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko’s involvement both in doubt.

‘They’re making progress and we’ll see,’ Everton boss David Moyes said on Friday. ‘We’ve got a couple of other knocks within the camp, but we’ll see how they are.’

Iliman Ndiaye will be hoping to continue his impressive form for Everton against Liverpool, with the Senegal international having scored two goals across the Toffees’ first four Premier League games this season.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Everton this summer (Picture: Squawka)

Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 when the two sides last met in April, with late forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in July, scoring the only goal.

The last time Everton hosted Liverpool in February, the Merseyside derby ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw with two players sent off and James Tarkowski netting an 98th-minute equaliser.

Slot was shown a red card himself after full-time following an X-rated rant at referee Michael Oliver, which saw the Dutchman handed a two-game touchline ban plus a £70,000 fine.

Jack Grealish has shined since joining Everton on loan (Picture: Getty)

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash, Slot said: ‘[Everton] had a good spell when we faced them last season [and they’ve] made some good signings.

‘[Grealish] is doing so well… We are looking forward to this game, every Anfield game is special but this derby is more special.

‘Maybe Virgil [van Dijk] or Mo [Salah] can tell the new players what to expect – but it is not that these players are new and haven’t played these types of games before.

‘It is special but not miles off other special games they have played.’

Liverpool XI to face Everton – Metro prediction

Isak will be named in the Liverpool XI if deemed fit enough – but it should be noted Slot admitted the new striker ‘felt his body more than ever before’ following his 60-minute spell of action against Atletico on Wednesday.

If Isak does start, you can expect to see Ekitike on the left side of Liverpool’s attack instead of up top.

Liverpool vs Everton TV channel and kick-off time

Liverpool vs Everton kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 20.

You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.