Liverpool vs Brighton – Predicted lineup and team news

Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield on Saturday, desperately needing to spark their Premier League season into life.

Arne Slot’s side are currently enduring their worst start to a title defence since 2016. Furthermore, off-field issues involving Mohamed Salah have overshadowed their preparations. The Reds managed to beat Inter Milan in the Champions League midweek.

However, their domestic form remains a major concern. They have conceded 24 goals in just 15 games. Therefore, a solid defensive display is essential if they are to climb back up the table. Anfield will demand a reaction from both the players and the manager.

Liverpool team news

The major talking point is the availability of Mohamed Salah. The forward was dropped for the trip to Milan after making critical comments about the manager. Slot is set to hold showdown talks to decide if he returns to the squad. Meanwhile, injuries continue to affect the team. Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endō are both ruled out for several weeks with muscle and ankle issues, respectively.

However, there is some positive news. Federico Chiesa has recovered from illness and is available for selection. Alexander Isak picked up a knock in midweek but is being monitored. Consequently, he could still feature in the starting lineup. If he plays, he will likely lead the line alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. In defence, Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez are expected to start as Slot looks to shore up his backline.