Starting XI Prediction: Liverpool Return to Premier League Action Against Brighton

Liverpool return to Premier League action as they face Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Sunday. A victory for the Reds would see them provisionally move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City’s title thriller later that day.

Jurgen Klopp has been handed a boost in terms of fitness going into this one, with the likes of Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Ibou Konate and Ryan Gravenberch expected to return to the squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Alisson Becker will all continue their recoveries over the upcoming weeks.

With the return of those players, Klopp will have a tricky time picking his starting eleven for Sunday’s game, but we’re going to give it a go nevertheless…

Ibou’s Return

Caoimhin Kelleher will keep his place in goal as Alisson continues his return to full fitness. Ahead of him, Ibou Konate will slot straight back into the starting lineup alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.

Andy Robertson will miss this game due to an injury picked up on international duty, with Joe Gomez expected to slot in at left-back. Conor Bradley will also come into the side at right-back, again to cover the injured Alexander-Arnold.

Verdict: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Gomez

Strengthened Midfield Department

Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch’s return to the squad will give Jurgen Klopp some much needed depth in the midfield area. However, their return has come a little bit too soon to warrant a place in the starting lineup.

Wataru Endo will start at the base of Klopp’s midfield three, with Alexis Mac Allister nailed on to start ahead of him. The final midfield slot is between Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai, but I’d be leaning towards a start for Szoboszlai. Elliott has proven his worth from the bench on multiple occasions so far this season.

Verdict: Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai

Nunez: A Point to Prove

Darwin Nunez came under a fair amount of criticism following Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester United two weeks ago, but the Uruguayan will look to prove his doubters wrong once again as he returns from a minor injury.

Luis Diaz will start on the left-hand side, whilst Mohamed Salah will slot in on the opposite flank. Many would argue that this is Liverpool’s strongest front-three and I would be tempted to agree – although Diogo Jota may have something to say about that.

Verdict: Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Gomez, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Bench: Adrian, Quansah, Tsimikas, Clark, Jones, Gravenberch, Elliott, Gakpo, Danns