By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:01 | Updated at 2024-11-06 07:39:05
1 week ago
Liverpool are searching for a spot in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening when they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round.
The defending champions, who play Brighton again in the Premier League on Saturday, swatted West Ham United aside in their previous cup outing. A commanding 5-1 win remains Arne Slot's biggest margin of victory as Liverpool boss.
After a taxing week that involved clashes with Chelsea, RB Leipzig and Arsenal, Slot will be eager to make alterations to his starting lineup on Wednesday. While a handful of regular first-teamers will feature, some of the squad's peripheral figures will be offered opportunities.
Here is how Liverpool could line up against Brighton.
Wataru Endo could make an increasingly rare start / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - With Alisson injured, Kelleher has started three games on the spin and has impressed since the October international break. There aren't many better backup stoppers in the Premier League.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - Conor Bradley is back in contention after injury but Slot may persist with Alexander-Arnold to avoid rushing the Northern Irishman back. He was involved in both goals against Arsenal but has still not quite hit his stride this season.
CB: Joe Gomez - Gomez has become an emergency substitute under Slot, used to shore things up when Liverpool need to hold on to victory. However, he featured from the beginning in the previous round against West Ham and should earn an increasingly rare start on the south coast.
CB: Jarell Quansah - Since his first-half substitution on the opening day of the season, Quansah has failed to usurp the impressive Ibrahima Konate since Slot's arrival and his fall down the pecking order means that cup competitions are where he will earn most of his minutes this season.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas - Andy Robertson's disappointing form - evident in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend - means that Tsimikas has a real opportunity to rival his fellow left-back. The Greek defender does always have a mistake in him though.
DM: Wataru Endo - It's fair to say that Endo isn't Slot's cup of tea. The Japan international became a cult hero last season but lacks the necessary technical attributes to thrive in a holding role under Liverpool's new boss. Still, he's a strong rotation option.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister - Mac Allister was withdrawn after an hour against Arsenal following an uncharacteristically sloppy display. Nothing more than a blip for the Argentine, he will be integral in Liverpool's midfield at Brighton.
RW; Mohamed Salah - Injuries to Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota leave Slot short in attacking areas. As a result, Salah will be the man residing on the right flank at the American Express Stadium, and he boasts nine goals and seven assists in 15 meetings with the Seagulls.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai - Curtis Jones' recent displays have put Szoboszlai's starting position under threat. The attacking midfielder has been markedly improved under Slot but still has gears to grind through to reach the elite level.
LW: Cody Gakpo - The Dutchman has dazzled in the cup competitions for Liverpool and bagged a brace in the previous round. An underwhelming cameo against Arsenal was an outlier in what has been an encouraging season for the versatile forward.
ST: Darwin Nunez - A goal against Leipzig and a composed assist against Arsenal will have done Nunez's confidence the world of good. He's been back to his chaotic best in recent outings and will be keen to stretch an injury-hit Brighton defence.
