- Arne Slot anticipates a special atmosphere for the first Hill Dickinson derby.
- Liverpool boss dismisses fatigue concerns following their midweek CL exit.
- Injuries to Ekitike and Alisson may leave Reds vulnerable vs resurgent Everton.
Arne Slot faced the media ahead of Sunday’s historic Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the first ever at Everton’s new home. While the Reds are the reigning champions, Slot knows his side face a difficult test against a resurgent Everton team full of confidence and chasing European qualification.
The Dutchman acknowledged the unique nature of the occasion. “Always a very special game, doesn’t matter if it’s the 60th. But if it’s the last and then the first one at a stadium that makes it even more special if possible,” Slot said. He also recognised Everton’s recent form, adding: “They are in a very good place at the moment. You can add 1 or 2% to the special game. It will always be a special game for them but it is for us.”
Slot dismisses PSG fatigue concerns ahead of derby
Everton will hope Liverpool’s intense Champions League quarter‑final against Paris Saint‑Germain on Tuesday has taken a toll. But Slot dismissed that suggestion, pointing to his team’s performance against Fulham after a similar European tie.
“Don’t think it will affect us (v Everton). It didn’t v Fulham although I have to factor in the Anfield factor. The fans play a big part if you want to go as aggressive as we were v PSG. We took the same risk in Paris and they were five or six times in front of our goalkeeper. But we kept them away from us at Anfield.”
He also addressed Liverpool’s poor away record following European matches. “It’s important to know when you play and when. I know we have lost a lot of games after European and away from home, and a few of them were 12.30s on the Saturday after Wednesday which is difficult for any team. Good thing for us is that we played on Tuesday and now it’s not a game until Sunday.”
Everton eye European spot
Arne Slot sees the remaining fixtures as a tense battle among several sides. “It feels a bit like a mini‑league. Every team is focused on team around them. Our focus now is not on Arsenal but on the teams around us. Our main focus is on the first game at hand and that’s Everton.”
For Everton, the stakes could not be higher. David Moyes’ side are level on points with Brentford and just five off the Champions League places. A win against a depleted Liverpool, missing key players including Hugo Ekitike, Alisson Becker and Wataru Endo, would be a massive step towards European football.
Moyes’ record against Liverpool with Everton and Everton’s current form offers genuine encouragement. In 25 derbies as Everton manager, he has won four, drawn 13 and lost only eight, a defeat rate of just 32 per cent.
The last home derby under Moyes, back in February 2025, ended 2‑2 with a late Tarkowski equaliser sparking wild celebrations. The last time he beat Liverpool at home was October 2011, when goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta secured a famous 2‑0 victory.
The reverse fixture at Anfield in September ended in a 2‑1 win for Liverpool, but the head‑to‑head record in the last five meetings shows two wins each and one draw.
Sunday’s derby is more than a local grudge game. It is an opportunity for Everton to take a giant leap towards Europe, at a brand new stadium, against wounded champions. The stage is set. The fans will believe. And as Slot admitted, this one feels different.
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