Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Brighton: Defensive ‘Beast’ Returns From Injury

How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently

Caoimhin Kelleher has started in goal with Conor Bradley at right-back and Andy Robertson at left-back. Joe Gomez has often provided cover in both positions. Virgil van Dijk has played at centre-back alongside Jarell Quansah in Ibrahima Konate’s absence.

Wataru Endo has been the holding midfielder; Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined him in midfield.

Luis Diaz has played on the left wing whilst Mohamed Salah returned from injury on the right against Manchester United. Darwin Nunez has continued to start as the central forward.

Liverpool Recent Form and Tactics Ahead of Brighton Game

Liverpool most recently suffered a painful 4-3 loss to Manchester United, resulting in their exit from the FA Cup.

The match in itself appeared as if there was a lack of tactics. It was end-to-end stuff, with both teams having 25+ shots. Some have described the battle as “pure chaos”.

Part of the reason for this was Liverpool’s tired squad: they have played two games a week for the last month during an injury crisis. They were still missing nine players, and many had only returned recently.

Another reason was that after Harvey Elliott scored in the 105th minute – Erik ten Hag went very attack-heavy. By the end of the match, United’s back four was as follows: Antony-Bruno Fernandes-Harry Maguire-Diogo Dalot.

Antony performed admirably out of position, but this chaotic formation mixed with some tired legs led to lots of attacks against struggling defences – especially in extra time.

This resulted in a high-risk-high-reward match, and Liverpool were unfortunate to be on the losing side. However, Jurgen Klopp will need to control games better in future big matches as he attempts to win a treble in his final season. 

Liverpool Injuries to Consider

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Alisson Becker have all been out for over a month. Klopp revealed: “From next week I think they will join parts of team training.”

Stefan Bajcetic “is now in partial training with the U21s and he will be in full training with the U21s next week.”

Konate played 90 minutes for France against Chile, so the defensive “beast” will be fit for selection.

When asked about Curtis Jones, Klopp replied: “I am not sure if he is available [for Sunday], but [he is] in training.”

Robertson has not trained after picking up an injury on international duty and may miss this fixture.

Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip are both out, potentially until next season.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

LB: Joe Gomez

CB: Virgil van Dijk

CB: Ibrahima Konate

RB: Conor Bradley

CM: Dominik Szoboszlai

DM: Wataru Endo

CM: Alexis Mac Allister

LW: Luis Diaz

ST: Darwin Nunez

RW: Mohamed Salah