Liverpool Team News vs Brighton: Bradley Barcola Fit as Andoni Iraola Weighs Key Calls
Liverpool have one immediate concern off the table ahead of Brighton’s visit to Anfield. Bradley Barcola is available.
The winger missed the open section of training earlier in the week, which prompted the usual noise around fitness, but there is no issue now. Andoni Iraola made that clear in his pre-match briefing, saying: “Bradley has trained today normally, he is fine. It was no problem, just a matter of sometimes you have have to deal with the load and consider sometimes they have to stay inside but he is fine.”
That matters because Barcola has been a constant presence in Liverpool’s Premier League side since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in a £123 million summer move. If Iraola starts him against Brighton, that run continues.
Barcola fitness boosts Liverpool options
Barcola’s availability gives Iraola a real decision in the wide areas. Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo both caught the eye in midweek, and Florian Wirtz also pushed his case with a goal from the bench. Those are useful problems to have, though they still need solving properly.
One change looks simple enough. Alexander Isak should come back into the side in place of Lewis Koumas. Beyond that, the more interesting call is behind him. If Wirtz returns to the starting line-up, Ryan Gravenberch would be against Trey Nyoni for a start alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
Injury update before Brighton clash
Not everyone is ready. Dominik Szoboszlai remains out with a hamstring problem. He is training individually, which is progress, but not enough for Sunday.
Jeremie Frimpong is expected to miss around a month with a muscle injury. Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley also remain sidelined. Victor Munoz is the one uncertainty. The winger picked up a minor knee issue in the comeback win over Brentford and missed the midweek match. His status remains unclear.
Likely Liverpool XI at Anfield
This is Liverpool’s second of four straight home games across three competitions, so squad management matters. Villarreal have already been beaten in the Champions League, Chelsea are next in the Carabao Cup, and Arsenal follow in the league. Brighton arrive in the middle of that run, and Iraola has enough depth to rotate without weakening the side too much.
The likeliest shape is a 4-2-3-1: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola, Isak.
Kick-off at Anfield is 2pm GMT on Sunday, October 25.
