Team news confirmed from Anfield as Arne Slot makes four changes with a surprise sprung at right-back
Federico Chiesa starts for Liverpool against Brighton
Federico Chiesa starts for Liverpool against Brighton(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Arne Slot makes four changes to his Liverpool team that hosts Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup as Federico Chiesa starts in place of Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones begins at right-back.
Ekitike is the only recongised senior striker currently available to Slot as Alexander Isak continues his recovery from a leg break , so the versatile Chiesa is named in his place for the fourth-round tie in a front three that also sees Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo start.
Dominik Szoboszlai returns after he missed Wednesday night's 1-0 win at Sunderland through suspension but the Hungary captain is restored to his midfield position alongside Alexis Mac Allister as Ryan Gravenberch drops to the bench.
With Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and now Wataru Endo all sidelined through injury, it is Jones who moves into the unfamiliar right-back role this evening as Milos Kerkez returns for Andy Robertson on the left side of the back four. Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk in the centre and Alisson Becker keeps his place in goal.
Slot has had trouble all season at right-back, with midfielder Szoboszlai largely filling in whenever Bradley and Frimpong have been absent and the head coach has opted to keep the fit-again Joe Gomez in reserve and give Jones the nod at the back for his first start since the 1-1 draw with Burnley last month.
The switch represents something of a surprise given how often Szoboszlai has been asked to play in the full-back spot.
Young hopefuls Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Kieran Morrison are also named on the bench along with right-back Calvin Ramsay.
Liverpool: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Chiesa. Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Robertson, Gravenberch, Ekitike, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Ramsay, Morrison.
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