- Everton dominate the combined starting XI ahead of the historic stadium opener.
- Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski anchor a line-up featuring several Toffees.
- In-form strikers Beto and Iliman Ndiaye lead the attack for the Blues.
Ahead of the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, we pen down the combined XI for the Merseyside derby, long before the official lists come out.
For years, Liverpool dominated these selections. Not this time. Based on form, fitness and the momentum David Moyes has built, Everton supply six of our combined starting XI. Liverpool, the reigning champions, contributes five.
The numbers back it up. Everton have won three of their last four league games. While Liverpool are currently fifth in the league, their away record hasn’t been that great. David Moyes would be looking to get his first home win with Everton since 2011.
Liverpool are without their main striker, Hugo Ekitike, ruled out for the season, and defender Joe Gomez. Allison and Endo are also ruled out. The Blues have no new injuries, with Charly Alcaraz back in training.
Pickford and Tarkowski make the cut
In goal, no debate. Jordan Pickford has 11 Premier League clean sheets this season, joint‑second in the division, and recently kept his 100th for Everton. He has been England’s number one for nearly a decade. Liverpool’s options? Injured or unconvincing.
At right‑back, Jeremie Frimpong gets the nod. The Liverpool man has pace and quality, but Everton’s right‑back issues have been well documented. In the centre, James Tarkowski partners Virgil van Dijk. Tarkowski has started every league game this season, making 6.9 clearances and winning 71% of his aerial duels per match. His leadership has been vital and a solid option at the back. Left‑back is Milos Kerkez. A tight call, but the Liverpool man edges Mykolenko, who started against Brentford.
James Garner and Dewsbury-Hall run the show in the midfield
James Garner has been outstanding this season. He has started every league game, earned his first England cap, and Thomas Tuchel called him “our mini Valverde”. He gets the nod ahead of Liverpool’s midfielders. Alongside him, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Seven Premier League goals – no Everton player has more. His 91st‑minute equalizer at Brentford showed his never‑say‑die attitude. “He’s been so reliable this year,” Tarkowski said about the former Chelsea man.
On the right, Mohamed Salah gets the pick. Even on an off day, he is a major threat. Salah on his day can single-handedly change games.
Ndiaye, Beto in an all‑Blue frontline
With Liverpool’s new signing Hugo Ekitike ruled out for the season, the striker position opens up. Beto has been in exceptional form for Everton, with four goal involvements in his last two games. He gets the central role ahead of a returning Alexander Isak, who is not yet ready for a full 90 minutes.
Iliman Ndiaye from Everton fills the second forward position. Ndiaye is having a wonderful season. He offers pace, directness, and a genuine attacking threat. His wonderful season has garnered attention from major clubs, including Manchester United.
Moyes was asked about Liverpool this week. “I look at Everton,” he said. “I don’t pay a huge amount of attention to Liverpool.” On Sunday, his players have the chance to prove the combined XI right and make history at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
- Six Everton stars make our combined XI ahead of historic Hill Dickinson derby
- Everton team news: Charly Alcaraz returns ahead of historic Liverpool derby
- ‘I only focus on Everton’, David Moyes plays down Liverpool threat ahead of historic derby
- Everton’s worst losses in Merseyside Derby history
- Everton and Sunderland weighing up summer moves for Abdul Fatawu
