Liverpool line ups as Sadio Mane rested and midfield gets boost
Sadio Mane rested as Jordan Henderson returns
Paul Gorst: So then, on to the dreaded Saturday lunchtime kick-off for Liverpool.
On the south coast, no less. Jurgen Klopp has been very vocal in his opposition to Wednesday night and Saturday morning fixtures, but there is little he can do at this stage.
He does at least know that three points at Brighton will send his team back to the top of the Premier League.
Alisson Becker will start in goal for his 100th appearance as a Liverpool goalkeeper.
James Milner to come into the back four again alongside Fabinho, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, Curtis Jones keeps his place, as does Gini Wijnaldum with a recall for Jordan Henderson following his return to training this week.
Up top, I’m going to give Sadio Mane a rest and name Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as my front three.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Jones; Jota, Salah, Firmino.
Captain starts as Nat Phillips gets the nod again
Ian Doyle: Maybe, just maybe, Liverpool might have an extra player for today’s game at Brighton.
Jordan Henderson was back in team training on Thursday – or at least part of it – and he will be pressing for involvement on the South Coast.
A leap of faith means the skipper can start in a midfield that also includes, as is usually the way these days, Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones.
The rest of the team, though, sees plenty of changes.
Out goes the entire back four that played against Atalanta. Joel Matip shouldn’t be given three starts in a week just yet, and Fabinho can replace him.
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Alongside at centre-back, the threat of Brighton at set-pieces means Nat Phillips can have a second Premier League start.
Andy Robertson returns at left-back, with James Milner on the right.
Up front, it’s time for Sadio Mane to have a rest. He’s looked exhausted of late.
Diogo Jota can begin on the left, with Roberto Firmino down the middle 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 cause havoc with front three ahead of him
Peter Harris: Alisson between the sticks naturally for a landmark appearance.
James Milner steps in at right back while Andy Robertson returns to the starting XI as Joel Matip and Fabinho continue their partnership at the centre of defence.
The time is right for Jordan Henderson’s much needed return to midfield. He can help his side shake off the Atalanta result and ensure they’re fired up enough to return to Merseyside with all three points.
Alongside the…
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