Liverpool return to Premier League action tomorrow with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Reds will be looking to bounce back after losing in the Champions League against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Jurgen Klopp could have a fully-fit squad for the game. But the manager has indicated that Covid may play a part in his team selection on the South Coast.
Here’s how we think Liverpool will line up.
Defence
No qualms about who will start in goal. Alisson Becker has been keeping clean sheets for fun recently.
Unfortunately, he was beaten by a thunderbolt from Lautaro Martinez on Tuesday. His reaction told you everything you need to know about what he thinks about conceding goals. He’ll start again tomorrow.
At right-back, there is no need to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold who will be asked to go again on Saturday lunchtime.
Who to play at centre-back provides more of a dilemma for Klopp. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk both missed Thursday’s training session.
As per Klopp’s Friday press conference, there are no injury problems. But the manager did suggest that there are some Covid related issues that the club are waiting for clarity on.
“Covid is not over, so these kind of things we have as well – or had. We will see how that’s going on,” Klopp said via liverpoolfc.com.“
“We try absolutely everything to avoid this but it’s obviously not really possible. Players or staff who had it now have absolutely no symptoms, that’s good but they cannot be involved. We will see.”
If the pair aren’t available for whatever reason, Klopp has little choice but to go for Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.
Midfield
Liverpool do have a trip to Arsenal coming up in midweek which they need to be mindful of. But Fabinho is too important to the side and needs to play here.
Thiago was one of those not pictured in training and looks likely to miss out against the Seagulls.
Either side of Fabinho should be the returning Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita. The midfielders both came off the bench against Inter and should be rested enough to start tomorrow.
For Keita, it’s another chance to show why the likes of teammate Van Dijk have previously called him ‘world-class’ via liverpoolfc.com.
Attack
Early team news indicates that Luis Diaz will start for The Reds at the Amex Stadium (The Athletic).
We think that could mean bad news for Sadio Mane. The £34m man was quiet against Inter and was rated as one of the worst players on the pitch by the notoriously harsh L’Equipe.
Diogo Jota will likely start through the middle then, with Roberto Firmino and Mane on the bench.
Mohamed Salah doesn’t miss any games if he can help it and he’ll complete Liverpool’s attack.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Brighton: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Jota, Diaz
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