View: 0% player axed in six changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Brighton
Arne Slot could make as many as six changes to his Liverpool side – including dropping Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson – for the game with Brighton on Wednesday (30 October).
The Reds travel to the Amex Stadium in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and should name a heavily rotated side for the clash ahead of welcoming Brighton to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday (2 November).
Slot will be expected to rotate heavily between the two games against the same opposition, which will give others a chance to impress.
Liverpool to make six changes to face Brighton
Caoimhin Kelleher had an afternoon to forget at the Emirates as he produced only one save in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal [Sofascore]. However, the 25-year-old thrives in the Carabao Cup and should continue his prolonged run in the first team against Brighton.
While the Reds would prefer to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold for this fixture, the match will be too soon for Conor Bradley, returning to the first team following a three-match layoff. Trent will be expected to start again and should be eager to atone for his lacklustre performance at the Emirates wherein he completed only 28.5 per cent of his 14 attempted long balls and lost all his duels.
Van Dijk and Konate have established themselves as the preferred centre-back partnership under Slot. Still, with more important fixtures ahead there is no better time for a much-needed respite and the pair could drop to the bench against Brighton.
Jarell Quansah has featured only once – in the 5-1 win against West Ham United in this competition – since he was removed at half-time in the 2-0 win against Ipswich Town in the Premier League opener. The 21-year-old should be named alongside Joe Gomez, who also has suffered limited game time this year with the pair allowed to stake a claim for more minutes.
Robertson produced perhaps his worst outing of the season against Arsenal, completing zero per cent of his crosses and only 50 per cent of his four long ball attempts. The full-back could be under pressure at Anfield with Kostas Tsimikas expected to return against Brighton and continue to chase down the starting left-back position.
Mac Allister returned to the starting lineup against Arsenal after sustaining an injury in the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace before the international break. He should return to the bench against his former side as Slot looks to manage his minutes at Anfield.
Ryan Gravenberch is undroppable for Liverpool based on his current form, winning 77 per cent of his duels at the Emirates. Therefore, the Dutchman should occupy Mac Allister’s role in the side on the left of the midfield three, with Wataru Endo earning a surprise start as the anchor of the midfield.
Jones performed admirably against Arsenal, completing 98 per cent of his passes and winning 50 per cent of his ground duels, but failed to match the standards set in the 2-1 win against Chelsea. The Scouser and Dominik Szoboszlai will be expected to share the minutes as they fight it out to become the established number 10 at Anfield. The Hungarian should be handed another chance to impress against Brighton.
Federico Chiesa is still dealing with fitness concerns at Anfield, meaning it should be another start for Mohamed Salah on the right flank. The Egyptian is looking as clinical as ever this season, scoring the second equaliser against Arsenal with only his second shot on target.
Darwin Nunez proved to Slot there is more to his game than goals on the weekend, as he created one big chance from one key pass to set up Salah’s equaliser. However, the Uruguayan failed to register a single shot at the Emirates and, while he should keep his place with Diogo Jota out injured, he will surely return to the bench once the Portuguese forward returns.
Diaz replaced Cody Gakpo to face Arsenal and will be expected to be displaced by the Dutchman once again in midweek after a dire outing at the weekend. The 27-year-old did assist Van Dijk on the day, though he lost 65 per cent of his 20 duels contested, lost possession 12 times and completed only 40 per cent of his dribble attempts. He now faces a serious fight to reclaim the left-wing spot at Anfield.
In other Liverpool news, the Premier League has responded to the VAR controversy in the Reds’ clash against Arsenal.
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