Liverpool will next take on Wolves in the FA Cup, with Jurgen Klopp facing a host of posers from the team.
Liverpool’s poor start to 2023 continued on Saturday afternoon with a truly appalling Premier League defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Reds were wildly out of the ordinary as they were beaten 3-0 in the heaviest defeat to the Seagulls in their history. Liverpool will now be looking to secure a speedy return to the south coast when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday night.
And here we look forward to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team goes into action. Liverpool were on the defensive at times on Saturday and the absence of Virgil van Dijk as chief organizer was badly felt. However, there are unlikely to be too many changes at the rear, as at least some consistency is needed.
The most likely is Joe Gomez, who replaced ill-fated Joel Matip in the second half this weekend. Ibrahima Konate was the best centre-back, with Nat Phillips another potential option.
At right-back, the return of James Milner could provide a break for Trent Alexander-Arnold as Calvin Ramsay hasn’t played on the bench since the Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City, although Kostas Tsimikas could replace Andy Robertson. Alisson Becker should continue in goal ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher.
Midfield redesign
The midfielder continues to fail and after Klopp gave his tried and tested chance another wasted chance over the weekend, it’s time for Klopp to regroup his pack.
It may depend on the physical condition of Stefan Bajcetic, who was ruled out on Saturday with a minor injury. Fabinho or Jordan Henderson may have to play defensive midfield again, although Milner is once again an available option.
Klopp changed the engineering formation against Brighton to little effect, although it created more tactical uncertainty for the opposition even when the execution was absent. Thiago Alcantara has been moved onto the pitch but this has only annoyed the Spaniard and it may be time for a break.
Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott both came off the bench on Saturday and will be pushing hard with them to start
Curtis Jones, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was able to retire from the lead.
Call Carvalho?
One player who hasn’t sensed the action in recent weeks is Fabio Carvalho. And if Darwin Nunez can’t get over the slight injury problem that has ruled him out of Brighton, there’s a chance the 20-year-old could come on to the left. Cody Gakpo could be forced to continue in midfield, with Roberto Firmino still out along with long-term absentees Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
Mohamed Salah, meanwhile, was unlikely to break through on the right flank, with 17-year-old Ben Doak or Oxlade-Chamberlain being possible alternatives to cross.