Having come away from north London with out defeat, Liverpool head again down south to play Brighton within the League Cup fourth spherical.
Brighton vs. Liverpool
League Cup (Fourth Spherical) | Amex Stadium
October 30, 2024 | 7.30pm (GMT)
Although it’s nonetheless early within the marketing campaign, Liverpool have made themselves contenders for trophies already with nice type throughout all competitions.
With three wins from three within the Champions League and a convincing victory within the third spherical of the League Cup, Arne Slot‘s aspect are rightly eyeing silverware this season.
1. Brighton double-header
In an uncommon prevalence, Liverpool play the identical crew twice within the area of 4 days as they face Brighton within the League Cup on Wednesday, then within the Premier League on Saturday.
Some supporters can have an eye fixed on the league match and maybe even be prepared to sacrifice the Reds’ probabilities within the League Cup, to be able to safe three factors.
Neither result’s assured, although, and Liverpool’s aggressive streak will make sure that no matter crew Slot places out will likely be up for the combat on Wednesday night time.
This competitors offers not solely a possibility for silverware, but additionally an opportunity for fringe gamers to get much-needed minutes to remain sharp.
2. How they reached the fourth spherical
As a consequence of enjoying in Europe, Liverpool got here into the League Cup on the third spherical stage.
They had been drawn towards West Ham and confidently dispatched of them at Anfield with a 5-1 win, regardless of initially going behind after a Jarell Quansah personal objective.
In the meantime, Brighton have needed to navigate two rounds to succeed in this stage, first beating Crawley 4-0 at house earlier than beating Wolves 3-2 on the south coast.
The crew that comes out victorious from this recreation will play within the quarter-finals the week earlier than Christmas.
3. Workforce information
Liverpool will likely be with out Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota for each clashes with Brighton, as Slot revealed they’re anticipated to be out till after the subsequent worldwide break.
Conor Bradley will in all probability additionally miss out on a begin, with Slot saying he “may possibly be within the squad.”
This leaves Joe Gomez or Trent Alexander-Arnold to play right-back in a defence that may possible additionally embrace Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas.
Alisson additionally stays absent so Vitezslav Jaros will likely be within the squad, both instead or a starter.
4. Beginning XI prediction
• READ HERE: LFC lineup options vs. Brighton – 5 changes as Endo starts
Slot should reply an attention-grabbing query up entrance, now we all know Jota will likely be out for one more three weeks.
Nunez is left as Liverpool’s solely recognised striker throughout a busy interval of fixtures. Ideally, to maintain the Uruguayan’s vitality ranges at their highest, he would have been rested.
Nonetheless, Chiesa, who may have stuffed in up entrance, can be lacking, so Slot could play Nunez once more.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
5. No Lewis Dunk for Brighton
Regardless of a change of supervisor in the summertime, 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler changing Marseille-bound Roberto de Zerbi, Brighton have maintained final season’s ranges and at present sit sixth within the Premier League.
Simply two factors behind Arsenal, they’ve received 4 of their 9 league matches up to now this season whereas drawing 4 and shedding as soon as, a 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool will face a difficult take a look at on the Amex, possible enjoying a weakened crew, however Brighton won’t be at their finest both.
Hurzeler will likely be with out the likes of Lewis Dunk, James Milner and Joao Pedro, in addition to Adam Webster, Solly March, long-term absentee Matt O’Riley and the in-form Georginio Rutter (cup-tied).
The supervisor has additionally confirmed that Jason Steele will begin in objective for the Seagulls, like within the final spherical.
6. The striker scenario
As talked about, Slot has considerably of a conundrum to work out with Jota and even Jayden Danns unavailable:
“About Darwin, I gave him credit score that he labored so laborious in earlier weeks the place he didn’t play so much to have the ability to play 3 times in a row, I believe three video games in eight days.
“It was a superb factor his ban for Uruguay was cancelled so he may play two video games there, that helped him to play the best way he did. I’m not speaking concerning the high quality, however the depth he performed with.
“That was a optimistic factor. It’s a pity that Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are usually not accessible as a result of they had been, in my view, essentially the most logical No. 9s.
“However nonetheless, we’ve got another choices with those you simply stated (Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Mo Salah).”
7. A take a look at the numbers
The Reds have met Brighton twice earlier than on this date and Liverpool have but to lose. In 1982, they recorded a 3-1 house victory and in 2021 the perimeters drew 2-2 at Anfield.
One other win towards the Seagulls will see Liverpool attain the quarter-final of this competitors for the twenty sixth time.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Gomez are essentially the most seasoned present League Cup gamers on the membership, every with 16 appearances.
Of the current squad, Jota and Gakpo have scored essentially the most objectives on this competitors (6). In the meantime, Curtis Jones is next-best with 5.
8. Straight to penalties
With Liverpool and Brighton each making an attempt to really feel one another out realizing they’ve one other assembly simply days later, there’s a good probability this match will finish in a draw.
Ought to that be the case, the sport would go straight to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes, with no further time on this competitors till the two-legged semi-finals.
If the match does find yourself going to penalties, the Reds should be assured. They’ve been concerned in 15 League Cup penalty shootouts, successful 11 of these in addition to 20 of 27 in all competitions, together with every of the final 4.
9. A brand new referee for the Reds
Darren Bond will take cost of the match. The official from Lancashire has by no means refereed Liverpool earlier than.
He has, although, refereed Brighton who’ve misplaced solely one in every of their eight video games when Bond has been in cost.
Whereas Liverpool haven’t met Bond earlier than, assistants Darren Cann and Matthew Wilkes are acquainted, as is fourth official Simon Hooper.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Brighton vs. Liverpool is reside on Sky Sports activities+ with kickoff at 7.30pm (GMT)
TIA’s matchday reside weblog will likely be up and working from 6.45pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with conserving you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
