[ad_1]
Sadio Mane rested as Jordan Henderson returns
Paul Gorst: So, on Saturday’s dreaded lunchtime start for Liverpool.
On the south coast, no less. Jurgen Klopp has been very vocal in his opposition to Wednesday night and Saturday morning matches, but there is little he can do at this stage.
At least he knows that three points in Brighton will send his team back to the top of the Premier League.
Alisson Becker will start in goal for his 100th appearance as Liverpool goalkeeper.
James Milner to return to the bottom four alongside Fabinho, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, Curtis Jones holds his place, as does Gini Wijnaldum with a call to Jordan Henderson following his return to training this week.
Upstairs, I’m going to give Sadio Mane a break and name Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as my three forwards.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones; Jota, Salah, Firmino.
The captain begins when Nat Phillips gets the go-ahead again.
Ian Doyle: Maybe, just maybe, Liverpool could have an extra player for today’s game in Brighton.
Jordan Henderson returned to team practice on Thursday, or at least part of it, and will push to participate on the South Coast.
A leap of faith means the captain can start in a midfield that also includes, as it often does these days, Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones.
The rest of the team, however, sees many changes.
Out all the back four that played against Atalanta. Joel Matip shouldn’t have three starts in a week yet, and Fabinho can replace him.
Get the latest news on injuries and Liverpool teams as Klopp faces the selection dilemma, plus the latest news and analysis of what’s next for the Reds.
You’ll also get the latest talk and transfer analysis delivered directly to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.
Register here, it only takes a few seconds!
Alongside the central defender, Brighton’s dead-ball threat means Nat Phillips may have a second Premier League start.
Andy Robertson returns as a left back, with James Milner on the right.
Up front, it’s time for Sadio Mane to rest. Lately it seems exhausted.
Diogo Jota can start on the left, with Roberto Firmino in the center and Mohamed Salah on the right.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Jota.
Roberto Firmino can wreak havoc with the three forwards ahead
Peter Harris: Alisson between the sticks naturally for a historic look.
James Milner intervenes as a right-back, while Andy Robertson returns to the starting eleven while Joel Matip and Fabinho continue their partnership in the center of defense.
It’s the right time for Jordan Henderson’s much-needed return to midfield. He can help his team shake off the Atalanta result and make sure they are motivated enough to return to Merseyside with all three points.
Joining the captain in a midfielder duo is Gini Wijnaldum; We’ll only know how much we really miss him when he’s gone.
* Have a question for Andy Robertson? Let us know before our exclusive question and answer session on Facebook here.
Roberto Firmino was quietly impressive at times against Leicester and not just because of his well-taken and long-headed goal.
On several occasions he seemed to back down a bit to become just another man in midfield. He was able to provide a target by going up the back, stopping the play for the forwards to run and throwing them in with a key pass.
It’s a role that he can replicate against Brighton with Salah, Mane and Jota in front of him, and maybe we’ll soon be debating how the number 9 is actually a 10.
My team: (4-2-1-3): Alisson; Milner, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Firmino; Jota, Mane, Salah.
[ad_2]
