Our ECHO writers tell us who they would pick for Liverpool's Premier League clash at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha celebrates with Dominik Szoboszlai after his dramatic winner for Liverpool at Newcastle United back in August(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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After hitting heights they haven't seemed capable of for much of the season in the win over Galatasaray, Liverpool will now be desperate to do so again in the Premier League when they go to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday lunchtime (12.30pm kick-off)
Back to back disappointments in the league against Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur have seen the Reds become embroiled in the scrap for a top-five place instead of streaking ahead of their rivals, and so this trip to the Amex Stadium represents a perfect chance to get some valuable points on the board ahead of the international break.
But who should Liverpool head coach Arne Slot select for the journey to the south coast? Our writers have picked the XIs that they've choose.
Paul Gorst
Arne Slot’s passionate defence of selecting Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back sounded suspiciously like he might need to play the midfielder there once more for this one, especially given the update he gave on Joe Gomez at Friday’s press conference.
For now though, Jeremie Frimpong is still technically available for selection so I’m sticking with the diminutive Dutchman, as he is known on these pages.
This calls for Andy Robertson too, Milos Kerkez can drop out and Giorgi Mamardashvili comes in for Alisson Becker, who hasn’t travelled.
I’m giving Curtis Jones the nod over Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz keeps his place on the left with the freedom to roam. Ryan Gravenberch starts alongside Szoboszlai.
No Mohamed Salah is a problem. It should open the door for Federico Chiesa but I’m going to give Rio Ngumoha the nod in the wide right role. Another chance for him to catch the eye.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Ian Doyle
It seems like only yesterday Liverpool were winning through to the Champions League quarter-final. And that quick turnaround means there are going to be changes.
What, though, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do? It really isn't helping that he is without an increasing number of senior players, with Alisson Becker the latest to be ruled out.
It means Giorigi Mamardashvili is back in goal. And it looks like Ibrahima Konate is going to have to crack on alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Andy Robertson can give Milos Kerkez a rest at left-back, and I'd actually be minded to put Jeremie Frimpong at right-back because, well, he's a right-back.
In midfield, I'd stick with the approach of midweek but with a slight personnel change with Curtis Jones coming in as the advanced player. Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz can stay where they are.
And with no Mohamed Salah, I'd be having Cody Gakpo alongside Hugo Ekitike with Rio Ngumoha the first sub.
My team (4-1-2-1-2): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Jones; Ekitike, Gakpo.
Mark Jones
One of the best things about Liverpool's win over Galatasaray was that it featured so many players playing in the positions that they would say they were the most comfortable in. From front to back, it appeared as though everyone was at ease.
With that in mind I'd be minded to go again with exactly the same side, but of course that isn't possible given the injury to Mohamed Salah, who notably played closer to Hugo Ekitike on Wednesday night in what looked effectively like a front two.
With that in mind I'd be tempted to go with Cody Gakpo in attack alongside Ekitike, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai operating behind them in the kind of 4-2-2-2 setup that Arne Slot employed at times to great effect last season.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, back at his old club, then take up roles as the pair stationed furthest back, and although Slot hinted that he needs to be careful with Jeremie Frimpong's fitness, I think he'll pick him again as part of an unchanged back four after he was taken off early in midweek.
My team (4-2-2-2): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Ekitike