Liverpool’s anticipated lineups and starting XIs for today’s Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion include the most recent team news.
Liverpool will travel to fellow high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon to resume their Premier League schedule.
Thursday’s Europa League match included both teams. Liverpool defeated Union Saint-Gilloise easily at home, 2-0, to make it two wins out of two in Group E. Brighton, meanwhile, overcame a two-goal deficit to tie the game 2-2 at Marseille and earn their first Group B point.
Both teams experienced defeat last weekend. The Reds suffered a contentious 2-1 setback at Tottenham Hotspur while the Seagulls were destroyed 6-1 at Aston Villa.
As a result, going into today’s match, which begins at 2pm, Brighton is in sixth place with 15 points and Liverpool is in fourth with 16 points. Here is the starting lineup that our Reds writers have chosen for the contest at Amex Stadium.
Paul Gorst – “I’ve resisted the considerable claims of Trent Alexander-Arnold”
Eight days later, Liverpool is still calculating the cost of that unjust and contentious loss against Tottenham, both physically and symbolically speaking.
Jurgen Klopp has few choices for his frontline because Cody Gakpo is sidelined and Diogo Jota is on suspension. With Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz starting on the right and left, respectively, anticipate Darwin Nunez to start in the middle.
Ryan Gravenberch’s performance against Union Saint-Gilloise in midfield caused the manager to give the position some serious thought, but I believe Wataru Endo’s defensive instincts will shine today. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai advance after the Japan captain begins at the base.
I’ve rejected Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strong defences at the back and stuck by Joe Gomez at right-back. Ibrahima Konate’s partner Virgil van Dijk is back, and Andy Robertson is back on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Ian Doyle – “There are a few head-scratchers for the Reds boss”
Brighton wind After two losses at the Seagulls in the New Year, it was most definitely not on the South Coast for Liverpool last season. Therefore, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for a change when his squad returns to the Premier League this afternoon.
For the Reds manager, there are a few decisions on who should play that are puzzling.
But not with the custodian. Alisson Beckern, he’s that. And the left-back is Andy Robertson. Though it would be hard on Joel Matip, I’d pick Ibrahima Konate to line up alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre back.
Another difficult position to choose from is right-back, but since Trent Alexander-Arnold will eventually play, I’d go with Joe Gomez.
Wataru Endo will start in the middle of the pitch as a designated number six, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to advance somewhat upon his return to Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai to play to his right.
There isn’t much of a choice, so Luis Diaz is on the left, Darwin Nunez is in the middle, and Mohamed Salah is up front.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Stephen Killen – “Jurgen Klopp will struggle to have an easier team selection”
When Jurgen Klopp approaches the strategy board on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion, it will be difficult for him to make an easier team selection this season.
He will be without Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota due to suspension, which eliminates two alternatives in midfield and attack, whether that is correct or incorrect.
It is simple to observe the stark contrasts between now and January, when Liverpool suffered a costly loss on this pitch. This Liverpool 2.0 may still be bitter about their weekend defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but Klopp’s team has something to prove.
Only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate should replace Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in the back four and custodian, respectively. Matip was unfortunate to attract unfavourable attention last weekend when his own goal prevented the Reds’ nine-man team from earning a gallant point.
Konate’s durability and Alexander-Arnold’s inventiveness provide for a simple defensive switch that not only adds an offensive threat moving forward but also counters the threat posed by the Seagulls.
Wataru Endo’s substitution on Thursday provided a clue that Liverpool manager Klopp wants him to start in the centre against Brighton. And it makes sense to have Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister standing next to him for that reason. While Harvey Elliott and/or Ryan Gravenberch are respectable alternatives for the bench, Mac Allister may be out of form.
With the injury to Cody Gakpo and suspension for Jota, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz lead the line.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.