Starting XI Prediction: Arne Slot to Make Seven Changes as Liverpool Face Brighton | OneFootball

Brighton vs Liverpool: What Side Will Arne Slot Pick?

Liverpool travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night as they look to secure a place in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final, after a 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the previous round. The fixture falls in the middle of a tough run for the Reds, following games against Chelsea and Arsenal and ahead of another clash with Brighton, before Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

With that in mind, Arne Slot will be faced with a difficult task of rotating his squad appropriately, whilst still maintaining a competitive lineup that is capable of securing progression. Therefore, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup…

Changes at the Back

Slot is expected to make a fair few changes to his back line, with the first one being Vitezslav Jaros replacing Caoimhin Kelleher in goal. The Irishman has turned into Liverpool’s number one in place of the injured Alisson Becker and I doubt that Slot will want to take any risks at losing another important goalkeeper.

Photo: IMAGO

At full-back, Joe Gomez will come in for Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, whilst Kostas Tsimikas will deservedly come into the side for Andy Robertson on the left. Virgil Van Dijk will remain in the side purely due to a lack of options, but will be joined by Jarell Quansah rather than the impressive Ibou Konate.

Verdict: Jaros, Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas

Rests for Crucial Players

Liverpool’s marvellous midfield duo of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are both expected to be rested for this one. Therefore, Wataru Endo will come back into the side in the double pivot and will be joined by Curtis Jones.

Photo: IMAGO

Dominik Szoboszlai will come back into the side as the most advanced midfielder, with Jones moving back into his more natural deeper role. Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni could make the bench and will be eyeing some valuable first-team minutes.

Verdict: Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai

Rotation Struggles Up-Front

The real struggles for Arne Slot come in the front line, with only four first-team forwards currently fit due to the injuries to Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa. Cody Gakpo is nailed on to come into the side after only playing around 20 minutes against Arsenal. The Dutch forward will come into the side on the left, whilst Luis Diaz will move onto the right to allow rest for Mohamed Salah.

Photo: IMAGO

Darwin Nunez will remain in the side down the middle and will look to continue his impressive run of performances over recent weeks. Depth on the bench is very weak though, but you can expect Salah to come on for the last half hour or so.

Verdict: Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo

Starting XI: Jaros, Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk (C), Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo

Bench: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Robertson, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Morton, Nyoni, Salah