Liverpool predicted XI vs Brighton: three big changes made as £35m star makes return
Liverpool will resume their place in this season’s thrilling Premier League title race on Sunday when they host Brighton and Hove Albion for their first match following the international break. The Reds are pushing for the perfect sendoff for Jurgen Klopp, who will leave the club at the end of the season following an iconic nine years at the hilt.
As things stand, Liverpool are second in the table but only behind Arsenal on goal difference. They are one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City after a tense 1-1 draw couldn’t separate the two fierce rival last time out in the league.
With just a sliver of daylight between the three title challengers, Liverpool cannot afford a single slip-up between now and the end of the season. On the day they face Brighton, City will host Arsenal, which could add another twist in this tale.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls are playing catch up with the top six, struggling with a tougher season compared to last year when they secured European football for the first time. Both Brighton and Liverpool have been dealing with their fair share of injury troubles as well, but how could that affect their lineups on Sunday?
Liverpool injury news
Liverpool have had one of the worst records for fitness issues this season as they remain without key players like Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota. Both Caoimhín Kelleher and Conor Bradley have massively stepped up this season as options have been thin for the title challengers.
The latest list of players ruled out or in doubt for Sunday features nine names, including Andy Robertson, who missed a large chunk of this season due to a shoulder injury. The Scot picked up an ankle problem while on international duty but Klopp is ‘hopeful’ it isn’t a serious setback. However, Liverpool may not want to risk starting Robertson so soon, and he may miss out this weekend.
Meanwhile, there have been positive talks surrounding Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, who both missed the latest international fixtures to recover from their recent injuries. Both could start against Brighton as the Reds hope for a convincing to reclaim the Premier League top spot.
Liverpool predicted XI
Caoimhín Kelleher; Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endō, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez.
Three Brighton stars out for the season but two return for Liverpool clash
Brighton and Hove Albion are set for a double injury boost ahead of their trip to Liverpool this Sunday. The Seagulls have had significant injury issues this term as they juggled the demands of Premier League and Europa League football. Roberto De Zerbi’s team are however eighth in the table and in the mix for Europa League qualification once more with 10 matches to play. The international break has given players some time to rest and recover but a number of Albion players remain on the sidelines. De Zerbi is however expecting a double boost ahead of the Sunday showdown.
Here’s a rundown on who’s fit, who’s out and who remain doubtful…
The Japan international has suffered foot and back problems with the latter ruling him out for the season
3. Solly March – out for the season
The Brighton winger sustained a serious knee injury at Man City last October, ruling him out for the campaign
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