Premier League opponent Everton is up next for Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp must make some difficult decisions over his lineup.
Liverpool grabbed a hard-fought point at Brighton on Sunday afternoon, maintaining their status as early title contenders.
The Reds were finally able to salvage a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten streak to just one defeat in 22 games thanks to a pair of goals from Mohamed Salah just before halftime.
Premier League opponent Everton is up next for Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp must make some difficult decisions over his lineup.
Liverpool grabbed a hard-fought point at Brighton on Sunday afternoon, maintaining their status as early title contenders.
The Reds were finally able to salvage a 2-2 draw and extend their unbeaten streak to just one defeat in 22 games thanks to a pair of goals from Mohamed Salah just before halftime.
Liverpool will return play after the break with the 243rd Merseyside Derby on Saturday against neighbors Everton.
Here, we take a look at the potential adjustments Jurgen Klopp might make before his team’s upcoming game.
Konate inquiry
Following the final whistle, Klopp said goodbye to his team for the second time this season while crossing his fingers that they would all return from the international break in good health.
Caoimhin Kelleher, a player who was injured on the practice field and required 12 stitches, won’t be taking part. Similar to Brighton, Adrian will be counted on to serve as Alisson Becker’s backup.
Joel Matip was substituted by Ibrahima Konate for the final Brighton minutes, adding to the mystery around the center-back position. Matip has started the last six Premier League games, and because he has been away from international duty for some time, he will be more rested when he lines up next to captain Virgil van Dijk. There are also Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah as options. At left-back, Andy Robertson continues to be ahead of Kostas Tsimikas, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was strong at right-back despite being replaced on Sunday because Liverpool were watching his minutes following a period on the bench. Gomez is his rival because Conor Bradley is currently injured.
midfield dilemma
The only South American outfielder from Liverpool who started in the first game following the most recent international break against Wolves was Alexis MacAllister.
And Klopp must decide not only whether to start the Argentine but also whether to keep him in the number six position. Wataru Endo, who hasn’t started a Premier League game since August, is the only senior alternative in the defensive midfield position because Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajectic, and Curtis Jones all out with injuries, and Endo is serving the second of a three-match suspension.
At Brighton, Dominik Szobsoszlai started out on the left side of the midfield three but improved when he moved to his usual position on the right side in the second half. Harvey Elliott started in the Premier League for the first time since April at the weekend, but Ryan Gravenberch, who performed well on the left, took his place at halftime.
Writ a reply
Diogo Jota’s return from suspension has offered Klopp some much-needed flexibility in the attack, especially because Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are both likely to return to the AXA Training Centre just 24 hours before the derby.
If Liverpool sticks with their standard 4-3-3 formation, Jota can move to the left or the midfield, with Elliott also an option. Without having to start three pure forwards, Klopp could have more options with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 configuration.
Given that right-winger Ben Doak, a teenager, was in the Premier League matchday squad last weekend for the first time in a month, Cody Gakpo is anticipated to still be sidelined with a knee injury.
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