Liverpool have the chance to record back-to-back wins on Saturday as they welcome Brighton for a big game at Anfield.
The Reds got a much-needed result against Inter Milan in midweek to bring some positivity back to Merseyside.
If that game was overshadowed by Mohamed Salah‘s ongoing exile from the team, then this one could be as well.
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Should Mohamed Salah be brought back to start against Brighton?
Big decision for Arne Slot
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Although Slot did not give away if Salah would play during his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Egyptian is more than likely to be missing again.
Still, Liverpool look in decent shape without their biggest name, and as he continues to trial a new formation, here’s the XI we expect Slot to send out to beat Brighton at Anfield.
Defence
Alisson Becker has made a difference to Liverpool since returning from injury in November. He’ll be important as ever on Saturday in a bid to clinch consecutive clean sheets.
Though Alisson is certain to play, there is a slight question mark over who will start at right-back. Conor Bradley is suspended, leaving the door open for Joe Gomez to go again. Whether the defender is fit to play after starting in Milan is the only uncertainty, but if he is then he should.
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As ever this season, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will make up the centre-back pairing, while we expect to see Milos Kerkez replace Andy Robertson.
READ MORE: What Liverpool will do with Mohamed Salah and the winner of Brighton clash predicted by Paul Merson
Midfield
The midfield is where it gets interesting for Liverpool, and is where we will get the answer to whether or not Slot will stick with his new diamond formation.
Who should replace Mohamed Salah if he leaves for the Saudi Pro League? 🤔
Credit: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
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For what it’s worth, we think he will. Curtis Jones was excellent against Inter and should retain his place, while Ryan Gravenberch also looked back to something approaching his best.
Slot could decide to bring Florian Wirtz back into his attacking midfield line, but with Alexander Isak potentially a doubt, we think the German will be used elsewhere.
Instead, the Liverpool head coach is more likely to keep things the same and go with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in slightly more advanced roles.
Attack
As Liverpool’s new-look, two-man attack worked so well against Inter, it would be a surprise to see Slot change things for the next game.
Federico Chiesa could start if the Dutchman prefers to go back to a 4-3-3, but otherwise it should be Hugo Ekitike up front with a strike partner.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Brighton
Slot revealed that Isak picked up a small knock against Inter and although it seems unlikely that he’ll miss the game, it may mean he begins from the bench.
That should see Wirtz come back in, as the 22-year-old performs a version of the role he was brought on for in midweek.
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