Liverpool will get back to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Brighton at Anfield.
The Reds have made an extremely flat start to the 2022/23 campaign, winning just two out of their first six games. Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, their last two league games against Wolves and Chelsea were postponed before the international break took centre stage.
Perhaps, the international break came at a good time for the Merseysiders, and Jurgen Klopp will want his boys to build on the 2-1 success over Ajax in the Champions League last time out.
Liverpool Team News
Jordan Henderson and Ibrahima Konate have returned to action to ease Liverpool’s injury crisis. Konate is back in full training after missing the last two months with a knee problem, while Henderson came on as a substitute in England’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Germany in the Nations League.
Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones are also closing in on a return after a lengthy period on the sidelines. Andy Robertson, though, is set to miss the Brighton clash with a knee injury. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also remain out for the Reds.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
One of the world’s top goalkeepers, Alisson Becker should start between the sticks for Liverpool. He will have to be at his best to keep a clean sheet against Brighton.
Defence
In front of Alisson, Klopp could field a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas. Alexander-Arnold has not enjoyed a good start to the season, and after being omitted from the England squad in the recent Nations League game against Germany, he will be determined to answer his critics on Saturday.
Matip will partner Van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool backline, with Tsimikas set to deputise again for the injured Robertson at left-back. Ibrahima Konate could be an option on the bench.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Fabinho will sit at the base of it and look to control the flow of the game. The Brazilian’s presence will allow Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson to craft opportunities and prize open the Brighton backline.
Harvey Elliot and James Milner will be on the bench, and with deadline-day signing Arthur Melo pushing hard to get match-fit, Klopp suddenly has options again to choose from in midfield.
Attack
Diogo Jota scored for Portugal against the Czech Republic in the recently concluded international break and could lead the Liverpool attack. He will be flanked by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, who has been the Reds’ best player so far this season.
Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho will be solid offensive options to call upon from the bench if required.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
