Teamwork makes the dream work

Nunez begins & “magician” benched in predicted Liverpool lineup v Brighton

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Liverpool are again in motion after what felt like an countless worldwide break and can host Brighton & Hove Albion as they search to proceed their bid for the Premier League title.

Jurgen Klopp may need watched his complacent facet crash out of the FA Cup in opposition to rivals Manchester United two weeks in the past however the Reds path first-placed Arsenal solely on objective distinction within the league standings, with the Gunners heading to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Accidents have threatened to blight an enthralling marketing campaign – Klopp’s final as Liverpool supervisor – however the farewell parade stays firmly charted for achievement after a testing few months which have seen the Carabao Cup clinched and the hunt for the Europa League enter the final eight stage.

Curtis Jones may return after a near-two-month layoff, whereas Ibrahima Konate will probably be hoping to start out after lacking the previous few fixtures. Andy Robertson picked up a problem with Scotland however fears of a long-term drawback have been allayed and the previous Hull Metropolis ace could possibly be concerned.

With this in thoughts, Klopp may make three adjustments to the crew that succumbed to defeat on the Theatre of Goals earlier than the worldwide break.

1
GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

Klopp described Caoimhin Kelleher as “one of the best no.2 on the earth” after his stellar displaying in opposition to Chelsea within the Carabao Cup closing, however the largest testomony that may given to the Irishman is that Alisson Becker’s absence hasn’t actually been felt, to not an amazing diploma.

Brighton have taken the sixth-most pictures within the league this time period, greater than Manchester United, and he’ll should be targeted in opposition to slick, assured opposition.

2
RB – Conor Bradley

Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley.

The cascade of academy expertise that has shot onto the scene for Liverpool this season is emblematic of the progress made underneath Klopp’s administration over the previous a number of years, and whereas there have been many high-level prospects break via this season, none have been higher than Conor Bradley.

Jarell Quansah has the makings of a high-class centre-back, whereas Bobby Clark is an thrilling and chic midfielder, however the 20-year-old Bradley has been sensational, posting a objective and 5 assists since January.

3
CB – Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool.

Ibrahima Konate has missed the previous few video games for Liverpool however he ought to return to the beginning line-up in opposition to Roberto De Zerbi‘s males.

Joel Matip’s season-ending damage again in December may have been detrimental to Liverpool’s marketing campaign however the Frenchman has come on leaps and bounds.

4
CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk fell by the wayside final season however the captain’s armband seems to have pumped recent life into these prodigious legs, with the Netherlands star heralded for his “completely immense” shows by The Athletic’s James Pearce.

5
LB – Joe Gomez

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

Robertson may need averted critical damage however could be clever for Klopp to go for the prudent route, particularly with a continuous run of fixtures forthcoming.

Joe Gomez 23/24: Video games by Place

Place

Apps

Targets

Assists

Proper-back

19

0

1

Left-back

15

0

1

Centre-back

5

0

1

Defensive midfield

2

0

0

Stats by way of Transfermarkt

Fortunately, Joe Gomez has been in positive type this season throughout a variety of positions, with the England worldwide’s power and multi-faceted ability set good for countering a possession-heavy Brighton risk.

6
DM – Wataru Endo

Liverpool's Wataru Endo.

What a participant. He collects. Calm. Composed. Wataru Endo is aware of his environment, instinctively. Crisp passing, robust tackling, alert motion. He will get it.

Surprisingly signed from Stuttgart for £16m final summer time, the Japan worldwide is proving to be one of many shrewdest additions to Klopp’s tenure. And that is saying one thing.

7
CM – Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister.

Signed from Brighton final summer time, Alexis Mac Allister will probably be key in taking management in a significant midfield battle, with the 25-year-old so influential because the kernel of Klopp’s system.

As per Sofascore, the 2022 World Cup winner has scored three targets and equipped 4 assists throughout 23 Premier League matches this season, finishing 88% of his passes and averaging 1.2 key passes, 2.8 tackles, 5.7 profitable duels and 5.9 ball recoveries per sport.

8
CM – Ryan Gravenberch

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

Having ebbed and flowed from type since becoming a member of Liverpool final summer time, Ryan Gravenberch will probably be hoping to hit a vein of consistency over the ultimate few months of the marketing campaign.

The £120k-per-weekmagician” that’s Dominik Szoboszlai – as expertise scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed the Hungarian – would possibly sit on the bench to accommodate Gravenberch, and with the video games coming thick and quick, this won’t be a nasty name.

9
RW – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah in action for Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah is match and firing as soon as once more and he’ll play an instrumental half in Liverpool’s success over the approaching fixtures.

As per FBref, the Egyptian ranks among the many high 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for targets and touches within the attacking penalty space, the highest 1% for assists and the highest 20% for progressive passes per 90.

He is clinched eight targets and 7 assists throughout 14 matches in opposition to the Seagulls, together with a brace within the reverse fixture this time period, again in October.

10
LW – Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz warming up for Liverpool.

Luis Diaz has been in positive fettle of late and whereas he is a tad wasteful in entrance of objective, this fleet-footedness and electrical actions down the left channel will probably be essential, stretching the Albion backline and permitting his friends to search out house and strike on objective.

11
CF – Darwin Nunez

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez remained on Merseyside for Uruguay’s current worldwide fixtures with a slight damage situation, however the 24-year-old is predicted to have recovered and can doubtless be on the centre of the motion in opposition to Brighton.

So influential, Nunez has posted 17 targets and 14 assists throughout simply 27 beginning appearances this season.

Predicted Liverpool XI in full vs Brighton: (GK) Caoimhin Kelleher; (RB) Conor Bradley, (CB) Ibrahima Konate, (CB) Virgil van Dijk, (LB) Joe Gomez; (DM) Wataru Endo, (CM) Alexis Mac Allister, (CM) Ryan Gravenberch; (RW) Mohamed Salah, (LW) Luis Diaz, (CF) Darwin Nunez