Nothing will stop Liverpool from feeling that the lost Luis Díaz goal against Spurs after a calamitous VAR error could yet become costly, but for now, the Reds simply have to attempt to get back on track. Up next: Brighton.
Having taken over from Graham Potter around a year ago, Roberto De Zerbi has made progress over the past few months, but the challenge of tackling European football at the same time as the Premier League is a tricky one to balance.
While Liverpool is used to that, this is the first season that Brighton is facing juggling midweek games. This fixture also comes at the end of Brighton’s first full run of two matches a week between the international breaks.
That is not to say that Brighton will be an easy team to roll over, but Liverpool does have a much stronger squad. The Seagulls also played a much harder game on Thursday, battling back from two goals down against Marseille in France. The Reds, in contrast, strolled to a win against Union SG at Anfield.
These are the teams that some of our Liverpool.com writers would select at the Amex Stadium as Liverpool looks to further establish itself back in the Champions League places and maybe even set up a title tilt.
Matt Addison – Ryan Gravenberch comes in to start
Most of the Liverpool team will change from midweek. Trent Alexander-Arnold needed minutes but the rest of the back four in front of Alisson Becker will change, with Joël Matip coming back in.
Wataru Endō coming off at half-time was probably a hint about him starting here. I wouldn’t be against seeing Alexis Mac Allister higher up the field, but I’d much rather see Ryan Gravenberch than Endō, who has not looked the quickest so far. Against the Brighton press, that could be a decisive factor.
In attack, Diogo Jota is suspended and Cody Gakpo is injured, so it will be Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz. Ben Doak could be an option to change the course of the match off the bench.
My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Núñez, Díaz
Predicted scoreline: 3-1 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch: How Liverpool solves its midfield issue, with Curtis Jones set to be a major loss.
James Martin – Ibrahima Konaté keeps his place
If there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that Liverpool will take the Brighton pressing bait. Klopp will just hope to show De Zerbi that he has baited the wrong team.
Fortunately, he has some elite pressers at his disposal. Jones will be a miss in midfield, but Gravenberch showed against Union SG that he can be a more than able stand-in, offering bite against the ball as well as assurance on it. Klopp might choose to go with Endō, but the Dutchman has earned a shot on balance.
With Szoboszlai alongside and Mac Allister a little deeper, Liverpool can field a trio which will force Brighton’s pressing traps to be at their very best.
If and when the Seagulls do break through, Klopp can call upon a strong defense. For the first time in a while, he can field his notional first-choice back line, with Alexander-Arnold and Konaté now back up to full fitness.
For once, the front three more or less picks itself too, with Gakpo injured and Jota suspended. It’s a big chance for Núñez to make amends for his midweek miss, while Díaz will no doubt be keen to score a goal that counts.
My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Núñez, Díaz
Predicted scoreline: 3-2 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch: Luis Díaz to belatedly get his goal.
David Comerford – Four changes from Tottenham
Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson are automatic selections for Sunday, but there’s less certainty over the other two positions in the back five.
I’d go with Trent Alexander-Arnold over Joe Gomez — the vice-captain came off the bench against Spurs then played an hour vs Union SG, so should be ready — and Ibrahima Konaté over Joël Matip. I know Konaté started in the Europa League and Matip was rested, but the former is quite simply a better player, and this is one of the hardest away games of the season.
For reasons I explained here, I’d look to Ryan Gravenberch rather than Wataru Endō to solve the problem of Curtis Jones’ suspension, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai slotting in alongside him.
Normally the frontline poses something of a selection headache, but not so this week, with Diogo Jota suspended and Cody Gakpo out injured. It’s a little concerning that Liverpool doesn’t really have any firepower off the bench for this one.
My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Núñez, Díaz
Predicted scoreline: 2-2.
One thing to watch: The threat of Tariq Lamptey down the flanks, especially after his assist in the FA Cup fixture last year.
