Liverpool predicted line-ups and starting XIs for the Premier League clash between the Reds and Brighton at Anfield
Liverpool are back in Premier League action today and hoping to take a big step closer to Premier League glory when they host Brighton.
Jurgen Klopp’s side can move to the top of the table with a victory and will want to put pressure on title rivals Man City and Arsenal before they face off at the Etihad later on Sunday afternoon.
The Seagulls travel to Anfield in ninth place and in consistent form, with boss Roberto De Zerbi given the chance to show Anfield first hand why he’s on the shortlist to replace Klopp at Liverpool.
Here’s how our writers think the Reds should line-up today:
Ian Doyle: The beginning of the end for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss. And it doesn’t get much tougher than a visit from the Brazil 1970 World Cup-winning team.
Well, at least that’s how Brighton have often appeared to look whenever they’ve faced the Reds in recent times.
What, though, is Klopp to do? It actually isn’t that difficult a selection should all the players expected to be available actually make it for the fixture.
Caoimhin Kelleher is in goal with Conor Bradley coming in at right-back. And the opposite side it’s Joe Gomez, with Ibrahima Konate partnering skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
In midfield, Wataru Endo is the number six with Alexis Mac Allister to his left and Dominik Szoboszlai his right.
And up front, Darwin Nunez leads the line with Mohamed Salah on the right flank and Luis Diaz mining the left. There’s plenty on the bench to help Liverpool should things needs to change.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Theo Squires: With the Liverpool cavalry on the cusp of returning from long-term injury but not just back yet, the Reds team pretty much picks itself to face Brighton. It’s pretty much as you were from before the March international break.
Ibrahima Konate is fit at least, with Jurgen Klopp confirming that Darwin Nunez is available after withdrawing from the Uruguay squad with a hamstring injury. We’ll assume they are both ready to start as a result.
With Andy Robertson ruled out with an ankle injury, Joe Gomez can get the nod ahead of Kostas Tsimikas to start at left-back. Conor Bradley starts at right-back as a result.
Ryan Gravenberch is available, but Curtis Jones is not quite ready to return. As a result, it’s an unchanged midfield three of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Alexis Mac Allister.
Mohamed Salah starts on the right after being spared international duty with Egypt. And while Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both went into the break with knocks, they were fit to play for Colombia and the Netherlands respectively. Both available, the former gets the nod on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Joe Rimmer: With the international break over and the serious stuff getting started, this might be one of the easier team selections of the season for Liverpool.
Indeed, there’s only one debate to be had, and that’s who starts at left-back with Andy Robertson out. Kostas Tsimikas played 210 minutes of football for Greece over the international break, but his left foot brings natural balance that just trumps playing Joe Gomez, who is unlucky to miss out.
Ibrahima Konate’s availability makes the rest of the back four straight forward, with Virgil van Dijk and Conor Bradley alongside him.
