90min
·1 de noviembre de 2024
90min
·1 de noviembre de 2024
Liverpool are looking to beat Brighton & Hove Albion for the second time in the space of three days when they host the Seagulls on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
An entertaining if slightly unpolished 3-2 victory over Brighton midweek secured Liverpool's safe passage to the Carabao Cup quarter-final, but Saturday will prove a sterner challenge as Fabian Hurzeler recalls an array of first-team players to the starting lineup.
Arne Slot will make significant changes himself from the much-changed side that featured at the AMEX Stadium, but he remains without a handful of injured stars, including Alisson and Diogo Jota.
Here is how Liverpool could line up at Anfield.
Luis Diaz could lose his starting spot to in-form Cody Gakpo / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - Vitezslav Jaros impressed on his full Liverpool debut with a truly stunning save to deny Simon Adingra but Kelleher will return to the starting XI on Saturday. He'll be hoping to keep the clean sheet that his Czech teammate couldn't on Wednesday night.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - Alexander-Arnold earned a rest midweek as Conor Bradley returned from injury and will be fresh at the weekend to grapple with Kaoru Mitoma, who has caused Liverpool's No.66 issues in the past.
CB: Ibrahima Konate - The French centre-back has been defiant under Slot and will have to be similarly imposing when he welcomes Danny Welbeck to Anfield on Saturday. The Brighton striker has scored four in his last five starts and netted in front of the Kop last term.
CB: Virgil van Dijk - The Liverpool skipper's absence was felt on the south coast and he would have been handy in organising a porous backline. That will be his task at the weekend up against a tricky Brighton forward unit.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas - Andy Robertson started and played the entirety of the midweek match-up, with Tsimikas perhaps having jumped ahead of the Scotsman in the queue. Robertson's shaky display at Arsenal may have handed the Greek defender the advantage.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch - Much like his compatriot Van Dijk, Gravenberch was missed on Wednesday night. The composed holding midfielder has dazzled this term and would have offered some much-needed protection to the backline.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister - Mac Allister returned to Brighton and received a warm reception, but he will be keen to send the away fans home without a smile on Saturday. He provides such a brilliant balance to Liverpool's midfield.
RW: Mohamed Salah - The Egyptian has produced a combined 16 goals and assists in 16 matches against Brighton, only failing to score or set one up in three outings with the Seagulls - one of which was his brief cameo midweek.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai - Tasked with leading the line midweek, the Hungarian should return to his favoured number 10 spot here. Competing with Curtis Jones for minutes, Szoboszlai has to impress this weekend.
LW: Cody Gakpo - Luis Diaz has been excellent this season but how can Slot drop Gakpo after two excellent midweek strikes? The Dutchman was relentless at the AMEX and could have as much joy against Joel Veltman as he did against Tariq Lamptey.
ST: Darwin Nunez - Nunez is starting to find his feet under Slot after a difficult start to the season. You're never entirely sure what to expect from the fiery South American, but he did score on his last Anfield start in the Premier League.