Alexander Isak & Florian Wirtz DROPPED for Merseyside derby as fans hail Arne Slot's 'clever' team selection for Anfield clash

Liverpool are set to host their Merseyside rivals, Everton, at Anfield on Saturday afternoon, and Slot has shuffled the pack for the clash by leaving both Wirtz and Isak on the bench for the clash. While, criticism has been floating around the decision to bench the two biggest signings of the summer, Liverpool fans have labelled Slot's changes as 'clever' as the two stars will avoid the 'boxing match' against the Toffees.

On X, Liverpool fan @CissiLeitet wrote: "I like this, start with physicality, cause the derby can get rough. Then have Wirtz and Isak to come on when Everton tire and there is more space. Clever selection imo."

@_AzeemP added: "First half is gonna be rough so we need people familiarized with the intensity of the derby, then Wirtz, Frimpong and Isak can kill them off in the 2nd half."

@ChinedumEmeana criticized: "After fighting hard to sign Isak and paying a record fee for Wirtz, they're now benched. If it were Chelsea, Carragher would be foaming in the mouth spewing inanities."

@LFCCommenter_ said: "Just shows the levels Grav and Dom have been playing at this season. Undroppable.  Everton gonna come out way physical, no sense in subjecting Wirtz to a 90’ boxing match. Much of it won’t be good football. Isak and Wirtz 60’ sub gonna hit like crack against those tired Blues."

Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice over the course of the 2025 summer, as they first signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £116 million ($156m). However, they then broke their own record weeks later when they struck a deal on deadline day to sign Isak from Newcastle United for £125 million ($169.3m).

Wirtz will very likely be coming off the bench in the second half for Liverpool against Everton; however, Isak's appearance off the bench isn't guaranteed. The Swede's lack of pre-season has meant that Slot has been utilising the striker cautiously, and he recently played 60 minutes against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. As such, he may only be used if necessary in the match.