The Reds return to Premier League action this lunchtime with a 12:30 pm kickoff at the Amex Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion, with the club currently sitting joint-first in the league.
Last time out against Brighton, Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners in the Premier League and will be hoping for another barnstorming performance this time around after coming off the back of their 2-0 loss to Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp left Diogo Jota, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, and Roberto Firmino on the bench for the start of the midweek match against the Italians but the four did come on after the hour mark in an attempt to try and salvage something from the game but failed. Klopp, no doubt left them on the bench as he was looking forward to today’s game, with the four ready to make a big difference against the Seagulls in the league this lunchtime.
So with all that being said, how might the Reds lineup against Brighton today?
Formation: 4-2-4
As always, Brazilian shot-stopper Alisson will start in goal. The goalkeeper had a poor performance along with the rest of the side against Atalanta but there is no denying his talent. Alisson is capable of saving points and winning games for the Red single-handedly on many occasions and I have no hesitations that he won’t be in the starting XI today.
I think that Andy Robertson, Nat Phillips, and James Milner will return to the defence for today’s game. Kostas Tsimikas and Neco Williams both started at full-back in midweek but failed to make much of an impression, meaning a return for Robertson at left-back and James Milner at right-back due to the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. Joel Matip will start in central defence alongside Nat Phillips – the Englishman impressed against West Ham at the end of October but hasn’t featured since but I think this will be the perfect game for him to earn his second league start.
Can Liverpool beat Brighton?
Yes
No
Liverpool’s midfield will consist of a two-man pivot of Fabinho and the return of Jordan Henderson. Brazilian Fabinho recently returned to the side after injury and has started each game since, whereas Henderson recently returned to training yesterday after his injury on England duty. I think the pair will provide a great balance in midfield with a good balance of defence and attack in their lockers, with the overload in attack needing to be compensated for in the middle of the park – and Fabinho and Henderson are the perfect pair for that.
The Liverpool attack will consist of a front four made up of Sadio Mané and Mo Salah on the wings, Roberto Firmino in a No.10 role, and finished off with Diogo Jota at striker. Jurgen Klopp did play this front four against Manchester City in the 1-1 draw at the start of the month and I think he will try it again against the Seagulls. The four have real potential to be a great threat if they can figure out how to work in tandem as a four rather than the usual three – and I think Firmino could do a real job in that deeper role, with the Brazilian possessing great talent and ability both in attack as well as in defence with his pressing and intercepting in-game.
What do you think Liverpool fans, do you agree with the predicted lineup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…