On Saturday Liverpool host a new-look Brighton side after the Seagulls replaced Graham Potter with Roberto De Zerbi – a signal of intent from the east Sussex side.
The Reds will need to watch out for De Zerbi’s passing structures, with the Italian known for his acumen in drawing out high-pressing sides and counter-attacking with extreme efficiency.
Injury News:
Taking to his pre-match press conference ahead of the three o’clock clash, Klopp addressed the Reds’ team availability, after what has been a busy international break for some key players in his squad.
The German boss stated, as per LiverpoolEcho: “Some are still out, doing rehab. Robbo, Curtis, Ox and Naby.
“Luis only landed yesterday morning. I heard he’s good. Darwin, with caution after intense period. Same for Diogo.
“Calvin is training but not ready to play.”
Whilst Luis Diaz will most likely start the game, the likes of Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota will find themselves as bit-part options for this particular fixture, with the German boss implementing caution, after a busy international break.
Predicted XI
Which brings us onto the all-important predicted XI, which features two changes, with the latest injury news in mind.
4-3-3
Alisson,
Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Tsimikas,
Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago,
Salah, Firmino, Diaz
After claiming an assist against Ajax in the dramatic 2-1 win against the Eredivisie Champions, in what feels like an eternity ago, Jota loses his place to “Liverpool’s Messi” in £180k-per-week star Roberto Firmino, as dubbed by Jason McAteer via Goal, who will be hoping to continue his strong start to the season which has seen him strike three goals and claim three assists in five Premier League games.
Elsewhere, there is just one change to the engine room, with Harvey Elliott losing his place to Jordan Henderson, who will provide more defensive cover to a side who have been far from watertight this season, knocking up a total goals conceded rate of a goal a game in the league this season.
So, with the predicted XI in place, Klopp will be hoping to use the opportunity that the international break has granted, by ‘restarting’ the season and forgetting about their disappointing start from the first six games.