Federico Chiesa waves to the Liverpool fans
David Rawcliffe/Propaganda
As Liverpool winds their season down with the first team and manager jetting off for some well-deserved time off, this is probably the best time for players who wouldn’t normally get minutes to see some first-team action.
While Brighton is a tough team that possesses tricky attackers and strong legs in the middle of the park, Arne Slot can afford to test players out that he normally might not have and give his players another matchday off.
Managers bemoan the busy schedule of the football season and lack of training time but with the league wrapped up weeks ago, it’s a unique opportunity for Slot to try things out and see what the squad are fully made of whilst trying to help Mohamed Salah break the record for most goal contributions in single Premier League season.
Whilst there are players who may not start the game here are five players who could get a chance at some minutes vs Brighton:
1) Caoimhin Kelleher
When Caoimhin Kelleher has been called upon in the last two seasons, he hasn’t put a foot wrong and that’s the best thing you can say for a keeper who isn’t number one.
When Alisson Becker has been out, Liverpool has never missed his presence because of Kelleher’s dependability.
He’s already picked up 10 appearances this season and could eclipse it by playing vs Brighton as Slot could give Alisson the night off and possibly hand Kelleher some of his final minutes in a Liverpool shirt.
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson already revealed in a press conference that he wants to see Kelleher play more with Kelleher having mentioned it himself.
The game vs Brighton could be another opportunity for Kelleher to remind everyone of his underrated worth in the team.
2) Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has 18 appearances for the Reds this season, but he has only completed more than 33 minutes once with a start against Chelsea two weeks ago.
Minutes have been few and far between for the Japanese midfielder under Arne Slot but the former Feyenoord manager has used Endo more in the last ten games towards the end of matches to close them out.
Arne Slot on Wataru Endo: “Wata has been really useful for us this season. It’s not always a matter of how many minutes you play; you can be very important in two minutes and you can be less important in 90 minutes.”
“What makes Wata special in my opinion is every time we have… pic.twitter.com/aaQlOaKJiT
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) February 18, 2025
It could very well be that Endo is picked to come up against the tenacity of Carlos Baleba as Slot wouldn’t want any injuries heading into the pre-season to prepare for 25/26.
It’s already been reported that Slot may look to move the Japanese midfielder on in the summer, not because of his ability but more because there are other midfielders that suit his possession-based style.
3) Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah had something of a breakout season in 23/24, scoring 3 goals and making 18 appearances but much like Wataru Endo he has had fewer minutes this season, mainly because Arne Slot has done well to keep injuries at bay.
Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as the first-choice pairing have not put a foot wrong defensively and in build-up to start attacks.
Quansah had more chances in the 23/24 season due to injuries and took them. He was a key fixture in Klopp’s team and fits the mould of what Liverpool want from a centre-back.
Despite an unfortunate appearance vs Chelsea where he scored an own goal, Slot may give Quansah another start to test the youngster against the likes of Danny Welbeck.
David Ornstein has labelled the England international as one to watch for a potential summer exit.
4) Conor Bradley
The Arsenal game was much talked about because of the reception Trent Alexander-Arnold received from Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has been trying to shake off injuries anyways and was not a starter vs Arsenal with Conor Bradley filling the role.
Slot is likely to use the Northern Irish defender again as a starter as he prepares for life after Alexander-Arnold.
Though Alexander-Arnold could still see minutes from the bench, it would be a surprise to see him start as Slot looks to use Bradley in preparation for next season.
5) Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa had a brilliant cameo in the Carabao Cup final injecting needed pace and trickery.
Whilst Arne Slot commented on how difficult it was for the Italian to get minutes as he is in competition with Mohamed Salah, Chiesa missed out during the match vs Arsenal through illness.
Chiesa’s ability is unquestionable, but the other three Liverpool forwards that have played in Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz have been devastating, there was no reason to play another striker.
With the attack likely to be shuffled in the summer, the Brighton match may be a perfect opportunity for the Italian to show Slot he should be in line for more minutes next season.
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