Major injury blow for Brighton ahead of Liverpool - but three return
Liverpool vs Brighton in the Premier League at Anfield - Saturday, 3pm
Liverpool's much talked about line-up to face Brighton at Anfield has been confirmed.
Arne Slot confirmed that Mohamed Salah will not start against the Seagulls but there was a spot on the bench for the Egyptian. It's the fifth match in a row that Salah has been left from the XI.
There was also no room for Alexander Isak, who has struggled at Anfield following his big money summer move from Newcastle.
Isak looked off the pace for the Reds during their narrow 1-0 Champions League win at Inter Milan last Tuesday.
Slot confirmed that Isak picked up a knock in Milan and misses out from the starting XI to face the Seagulls.
“It’s a minor issue,” said Slot. “He picked up a small knock in both recent matches. He is an option from the bench [against Brighton].”
Hugo Ekitike is expected to start in the main attacking role, with Florian Wirtz expected to play in the playmaker role.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Jones; Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Robertson, Lucky, Ramsay, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Salah, Isak
Danny Welbeck drops to the bench
For Brighton, veteran striker Danny Welbeck drops to the bench and midfielder Jack Hinshelwood makes his first start since September after his return from an ankle injury.
Georginio Rutter is expected to play furthest forward and will hope to add to his first goal of the season from last week’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.
There’s also a spot on the bench for Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, who returns following an ankle injury that has kept him out since the 3-1 win at Chelsea.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gomez; Hinshelwood, Gruda, Minteh; Rutter. Subs: Steele, Kostoulas, Milner, Ayari, Veltman. De Cuyper, Boscagli, Mitoma, Welbeck.
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