lastwordonsports.com

Liverpool vs Brighton: Team News and Confirmed Lineups for October 25

Liverpool vs Brighton: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 14, 2024: A general view of Anfield in the fog ahead of the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC.

Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the confirmed lineups for Liverpool vs Brighton on October 25 in a 14:00 GMT Premier League kick-off. Liverpool currently sit fifth in the league, having won 2-1 at Brentford last time out, while Brighton have been nothing short of a revelation so far this season, having thrashed bitter rivals Crystal Palace 5-0 in their most recent league game.

Liverpool vs Brighton, Team News and Confirmed Lineups

Liverpool Team News

In his pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola confirmed Bradley Barcola will be available for selection, having trained normally on Friday. Iraola also revealed that it will be challenging for Victor Munoz to be ready, with the winger struggling to recover from a knock sustained against Brentford.

Dominik Szoboszlai appears close to a return, but Iraola confirmed this weekend will be too soon for the talented midfielder.

The Liverpool boss also spoke on managing team selection, with the Champions League now in full flow:

“With everyone it’s about feeling as they are. We are changing the team a lot because we are playing basically every three, four days. Sometimes the players are tired, or there is more risk involved and we are deciding with more rest or to use more fresh legs. It’s going to continue being the same.”

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United, ManU Emirates FA Cup Semi Final Brighton & Hove Albion s Pascal Grob scores from the penalty spot during The FA Cup - Semi-Final soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion against Manchester United at Wembley stadium.

IMAGO / NurPhoto

Brighton Team News

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also spoke to the press ahead of this weekend’s game, where he revealed he is “quite convinced” that Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer are close to a return, but whether it’s this weekend or next remains to be seen.

Speaking on the availability of Pascal Struijk, Hurzeler said: “It’s not a big issue, but it’s something that can get bigger if you risk it too early. We have to make wise decisions.”

Brighton have been brilliant at times this season, and Hurzeler told those at the pre-match press conference that they “have a lot of confidence and belief” following recent results. The Seagulls boss also said it’s all about taking it “game-by-game.”

Liverpool Confirmed Lineup

Starting XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Barcola, Araujo, Gravenberch.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha.

Brighton Confirmed Lineup

Starting XI: Verbruggen, Dunk (C), Groß, Chema, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Ayari, De Cuyper, Vuskovic.

Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Hinshelwood, Georginio, Promise, Osman, Costinha, O’Riley, Yalcouye.

The Last Word: Prediction for Liverpool vs Brighton

This has the potential to be the game of the weekend. Liverpool have plenty of attacking talent and are capable of hurting any team. However, Brighton have been a joy to watch this season, scoring 23 goals in seven Premier League games. Defensively, they have also looked solid, only conceding five goals.

Pascal Grob, Maxim De Cuyper, and Charalampos Kostoulas are just three of their players who have shone this season. Regardless of his age, it’s imperative that Liverpool start Rio Ngumoha. There will be plenty of opportunities to rest him during the season, but against an in-form Seagulls, starting a player in form is a must. His ability to take on defenders and go inside or outside, combined with his composure for such a young player, makes him a nightmare to mark. This game really could be explosive! We’re going for a draw, though I do see plenty of goals — this could easily go either way.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Brighton