Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool return to Premier League action this Saturday afternoon as they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Anfield in a 3pm kick-off, looking to bounce back from a challenging period that has tested both the squad’s depth and morale. The Reds currently sit 10th in the Premier League, while Brighton occupy 8th position, also on 23 points, but separated by goal difference. The Merseyside giants come into this fixture off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday evening. Dominik Szoboszlai converted an 88th-minute penalty to secure all three points in Italy, a result that moved Liverpool back into the top eight of the Champions League standings.
Liverpool’s squad was significantly depleted for their midweek European triumph, with the Reds forced to travel to Italy with just 19 players. Cody Gakpo emerged as the most significant casualty, having picked up an injury late in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United last Saturday. Federico Chiesa missed the Inter Milan clash due to illness rather than injury. The Italian winger was unable to travel with the squad to Milan. Wataru Endo completes the trio of fresh injury concerns from the Inter Milan squad. The Japanese captain came off the bench against Leeds before sustaining an ankle injury.
Now speaking in his pre-Brighton press conference, Arne Slot first provided a positive update on Federico Chiesa: “Federico is not ill anymore, he trained yesterday and will train again today. So I assume he is ready.” However, less positive news emerged on both Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo, with Slot confirming the pair will be out for weeks: “It’s going to be weeks, with Cody it’s a muscle injury. And Wata is an ankle injury.” Slot has relied heavily on Gakpo this season, and it will be interesting to see if this development now opens a pathway for Rio Ngumoha.
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