Liverpool head coach Arne Slot faces a balancing act as they prepare for their League Cup match against Brighton, with a few players sidelined and the team eyeing Saturday’s Premier League clash. Injuries have limited Liverpool’s ability to rotate as much as they might have hoped, meaning several key players could still feature in the midweek game.
### Team News
Here’s the latest from Slot’s press conference:
– **Conor Bradley** is back in training and might make the squad, though he’s not expected to start.
– **Diogo Jota** and **Harvey Elliott** are out until after the international break.
– **Wataru Endo** will likely play, per Slot, who hinted he “deserves to play.”
– **Alisson** and **Federico Chiesa** remain out.
### Probable Starting XI
Given Slot’s press conference insights, here’s how Liverpool could line up:
**Option 1: More First-Team Regulars**
– **Goalkeeper**: Caoimhin Kelleher starts as Alisson remains injured.
– **Defense**: Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah might partner in central defense alongside Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas. This lineup would rest Ibrahima Konate, with Gomez covering for Alexander-Arnold if Bradley isn’t ready.
– **Midfield**: Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to start, offering Liverpool stability with Mac Allister getting the nod over Curtis Jones.
– **Attack**: Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz lead the line, with Nunez expected to play despite Saturday’s game approaching.
**Expected XI**:
*Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz*
### Alternative XI with More Rotation
If Slot opts for further rotation to rest players for the weekend, Liverpool could look like this:
– **Goalkeeper**: Vitezslav Jaros might get the start, giving Kelleher a break.
– **Defense**: Alexander-Arnold could play alongside Gomez, Quansah, and Tsimikas, with Van Dijk and Konate both rested.
– **Midfield**: Endo would still start, with Tyler Morton making a rare appearance alongside Mac Allister or Jones.
– **Attack**: Cody Gakpo may lead the line in place of Nunez, while Salah and Diaz maintain their positions on the wings.
**Alternative XI**:
*Jaros; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Morton, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz*
### Brighton’s Outlook
Brighton face their own challenges, with **Lewis Dunk**, **James Milner**, and **Adam Webster** unavailable due to injuries. Despite this, Brighton remains a challenging opponent, especially at home. Liverpool will look to keep things tight early on to avoid any slip-ups.
With Liverpool’s depth and Brighton’s injury concerns, the Reds have a solid chance of progressing if they manage to maintain their form and energy over both fixtures this week.
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