Premier League: Liverpool VS Brighton & Hove Albion - Predicted lineup, prediction
Liverpool enters the match on the heels of a dismal start to the season, having won only two of their first six Premier League matches and sitting eighth on the table, nine points behind league leaders Arsenal
Since the disappointing Merseyside derby goalless draw away to Everton on September 3rd, Jurgen Klopp's side has not played in a Premier League match. The fixtures against Wolves at Anfield and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge were postponed due to the Queen's death.
On the other hand, Brighton has had a solid start to the season and is now in fourth place in the league, four points ahead of Liverpool, after winning four of their first six matches, drawing one, and losing to newly promoted ones Fulham.
When they visit Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday, Liverpool will be eager to return to winning ways in the Premier League.
The visitors will play their debut game under their new boss, Roberto De Zerbi.
Head to head: Liverpool has won 20 games against Brighton. While ten games have been drawn, Brighton has five wins.
Liverpool predicted lineup
This weekend's match against Brighton will be missed by Andrew Robertson (knee), Caoimhin Kelleher (groin), Calvin Ramsay (back), Naby Keita (thigh), and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring).
Caoimhin Kelleher, Calvin Ramsay, and Ibrahima Konate have all resumed their regular training regimens.
Kelleher and Ramsay will presumably play with the under-21s, whereas Konate could be included in the first-team group.
In a significant boost for Jurgen Klopp as Konate has returned to full training after not playing this season.
Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez will all be evaluated after their international exploits, but all appear to have survived an uninjured international break.
Predicted lineup: Alisson, Salah, Jota, Diaz, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago.
Brighton Predicted lineup
Brighton, meanwhile, will travel without Jakub Moder (knee) and Adam Lallana (calf), who will be upset to miss playing against his previous team.
Enock Mwepu will not go to Anfield because of an injury.
De Zerbi favoured a 4-2-3-1 arrangement at Sassuolo, but he may stick with Potter's preferred back three systems for the time being. The 43-year-old is unlikely to make many changes to the starting XI that hammered Leicester City in their most recent match.
Therefore, Leandro Trossard may play higher up the field, and wing-backs Tariq Lamptey and Pervis Estupinan might fight for a position on the other flank of Solly March. The former could win this contest to allow March to play on his natural left side.
Predicted lineup: Sanchez, Gross, Trossard, Welbeck, Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Lamptey, MacAllister, Caicedo, and March.
Liverpool VS Brighton & Hove Albion prediction
Klopp will seek to make a statement as the team returns to Premier League play and attempts to put the team's bad form and slow start to the season behind them.
Brighton will also be working under a new manager for the first time in several years as Potter's outstanding tenure comes to a close.
With everything in place, Liverpool is anticipated to deliver a strong performance this time.
Final prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Editor's Picks
- 01
Brendon McCullum: England ready to be 'really brave' in team selection for India series
- 02
Diogo Jota inspires Liverpool surge as injuries fail to dampen Premier League lead
- 03
Cameron Norrie ready to go toe-to-toe with the big boys after stellar Australian Open run
- 04
Maxwel Cornet confident of scoring run after opening West Ham account