Liverpool FC News: Arne Slot to UNLEASH secret weapon in Merseyside derby

Liverpool's games are now coming thick and fast, with the Merseyside derby coming just a few days after the Reds open their Champions League campaign with a clash against Atletico Madrid.

Making sure the squad is up to the task so early on in the season is far from straightforward.

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As such, Arne Slot will have to be strategic with his decision-making, sharing out minutes across the team and giving specific workloads to players in order to not risk injuries. Alexis Mac Allister is one player in particular that fans are concerned about. His fitness levels do not look right quite yet.

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However, there might be a secret weapon that Liverpool can unveil against Everton who could boost the team and improve the Reds' chances of taking all three points in what is set to be an edgy affair.

Homegrown flavour added to Liverpool's squad

The solution to Arne Slot's current headache with the Argentine is Curtis Jones, who is set to be fit by Saturday's lunchtime kickoff, which should allow the former to finally get the rest he needs.

Until now, both of Liverpool's right-backs had been experiencing fitness issues, which meant that Dominik Szoboszlai had to be floated in the position, giving Mac Allister little to no break whatsoever.

However, the returns of Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley have freed up the Hungarian, allowing him to partner Ryan Gravenberch in midfield against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening, although the depth behind those two players was as certainly lacking.

The Athletic's James Pearce's confirmation that Jones will return for Saturday is a significant boost in that sense, but he's also proved that he can be a real weapon for the Reds in derby matches.

You only need to look at the performance he delivered at Goodison Park last year to know how important it can be to have a local player feature in the contest. His commitment to securing a win was just that little bit higher than the others, and the red card he received told a story.

One of the Blues' players felt the need to mock one of the Reds and Jones wasn't having any of it.

In that specific contest, the emotions overflowed but it's never a straightforward game playing Everton and all form goes out the window when the two teams up against each other. You have to raise your level and Jones is a player typifies that approach. He'll have a massive role to play.

As such, while his availability is a boost, there are few games more important that the Merseyside derby that you'd be desperate for Jones to be available for as one of the main difference-makers.

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