Arne Slot has the dilemma of rotation on his mind for Brighton‘s FA Cup visit, with this Liverpool’s third game in seven days.
Three days after an important and physical victory at Sunderland, Liverpool are back in action as they host the Premier League‘s 14th-placed side for a place in the fifth round.
Slot’s conundrum is whether to stick to a full-strength lineup, knowing there are eight days until the next game, or opt for rotation after a 72-hour turnaround.
Liverpool’s head coach admitted he struggled to sleep as he considered his options, aware of the importance of progression and the quality Brighton possesses.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at how the Reds could line up at Anfield on Saturday night.
Liverpool team news vs. Brighton: Endo latest & Szoboszlai back
Liverpool are awaiting further scans on **Wataru Endo**‘s ankle injury, but it’s “clear and obvious” he will be out for a “long time.”
Dominik Szoboslai is available after serving his one-match ban in midweek, while Joe Gomez played his first minutes off the bench at Sunderland.
Arne Slot admitted to a sleepless night over his lineup options for the FA Cup tie, with question marks over rotation and the use of youth players.
Alexander Isak , Giovanni Leoni, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley all remain sidelined.
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Brighton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot named a strong lineup in the previous round against Barnsley, and he could look to do the same on Saturday evening, but still with several changes from midweek.
Giorgi Mamardashvili started the third round tie and will likely be afforded his first start after seven games on the bench, as one of three changes in defence.
Milos Kerkez will be expected to return at left-back after a rest in midweek, while **Joe Gomez**‘s 21-minute cameo off the bench could pave the way for a start at right-back.
If he is fit to do so, it will allow Dominik Szoboszlai to return further up the pitch before likely dropping later in the match as Gomez will not be anticipated to complete the full 90 minutes.
Curtis Jones has been strangely cast to the side, with no starts in the last six, but this game surely marks his return to the midfield.
In attack, Florian Wirtz could replace Cody Gakpo and start alongside Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike, a trio which would underline Slot’s intent:
Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike
Conversely, if Slot wanted to rotate with greater effect, he could turn to 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha in attack, injecting fresh legs into an otherwise overworked front line.
He has featured in four of the last eight games and was used from the start in the third-round tie, and it would be wise for Slot to give Ngumoha experience against a Premier League defence.
The youngster would be surrounded by experience, though, with Mo Salah remaining on the right, with Federico Chiesa earning a rare start behind Cody Gakpo.
This lineup would afford Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, and Wirtz a timely rest, with Jones and Szoboszlai linking up in midfield:
Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Chiesa, Ngumoha; Gakpo
Brighton are not a side to be underestimated, but it is the head coach’s job to balance his side when it comes to strength and handing out some timely rest.
He could also consider a starting berth for 18-year-old Trey Nyoni, who has displayed a calm and composed nature in his cameos this season, which would aid another senior midfielder.
With the FA Cup only one of two trophies left available to Liverpool this season, they cannot be throwing it away at Anfield like they have points at home in the league.