BRIGHTON VS LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool travel to the Amex stadium to take on Brighton and Hove Albion in tomorrow’s early kickoff. The Reds are looking to move within 3 points of Manchester City at the top of the table whilst Brighton aim to snap a four game losing streak. Here’s how we think Klopp will line up for the encounter.

For a match preview, you can head over here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2022/03/10/brighton-vs-liverpool-preview/

Jürgen Klopp reported no injuries in his pre-match press conference but did worryingly report a number of positive Covid test results amongst players and staff. No names were provided but rumours online suggest Thiago and Konaté are two of the affected personnel.

Van Dijk was also named in these unconfirmed reports but subsequent rumours debunked that. It’s all speculation for now. We should get a clearer picture closer to kickoff. Roberto Firmino is fit and available however and should be involved tomorrow.

Alisson Becker will continue in goal, likely with the same back four infront of him. If Van Dijk is available, he’ll line up alongside Matip again, with Joe Gomez an option if the Dutchman isn’t available. Despite being at the club together for five years, a Matip – Gomez partnership hasn’t been as common as you’d think.

in the full back positions, Trent and Robertson are likely to start again. The latter was way off the levels against Inter Milan, but it’s hard to see the gaffer leaving him out in favour of Tsimikas. Tuesday to Saturday is a long enough gap for recovery, meaning there isn’t a pressing need to rotate.

In midfield, the skipper is sure to return to the XI having dropped out against Inter. Whether that will be in the holding role (to hand Fabinho a breather), or in his usual right sided number ‘8’ role remains to be seen. Naby Keita is also pushing for a recall.

The Guinean has been doing an excellent ‘Wijnaldum impression’ over the past few weeks with his ball retention and work off the ball. His block on Antonio last week was stupendous. Hopefully he stays fit to carve out a niche for himself in what has been a stop start Liverpool career so far.

Upfront, there are a number of players vying for the three slots. Salah, Mané, Jota, Diaz, Firmino, Minamino and Origi are all fit and at the manager’s disposal. It is a welcome selection headache as it presents an opportunity to rotate without a drop in quality.

We could see the front three that was born out of necessity a month ago – Diaz on the left, Salah on the right and Mané through the middle. That trio started a number of games together including the League Cup final. They showed plenty moments of promise as well.

Jota came in for the Colombian on Tuesday night and was as poor as we’ve ever seen him in a red shirt. He could need a few more games to get back into his groove, whilst Firmino will need to be eased in upon return from yet another injury in an injury plagued season.

With Brighton no pushovers, it makes sense to go with the players in form and then seek to make changes as the game wears on. This would then mean three changes to the side that started in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mané, Diaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Tsimikas, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Elliott, Firmino, Origi, Minamino.