Liverpool line-up against Brighton – with Jurgen Klopp facing the midfield decision – Liverpool FC

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Liverpool travel to Brighton on Sunday knowing there must be a huge improvement from the performance that saw them beaten 3-0 by the Seagulls two weeks ago.

It was a defeat that Klopp still refers to as “the worst game he’s ever seen” from one of his sides.

That day, the Liverpool boss tried a modification to his usual 4-3-3, which saw Thiago used in a more attacking role, but it was a move that backfired.

Since then, the Reds have gone back to basics, focusing on defensive solidity and more organization across the field.

Stefan Bagcetic and Naby Keita joined the side ahead of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, and Klopp must now decide whether to stick to the same midfield trio for the third successive game.

Here, we take a look at two possible ways the Reds could line up at the Amex on Sunday.

Team news

From Klopp’s pre-Brighton press conference on Friday, we know the following:

Liverpool lineup vs Brighton

Having kept two clean sheets in the last two matches, there is a high chance that Klopp will not want to make too many changes to his squad this weekend.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez are vying to return to the starting line-up, and with plenty of time between matches this month, there is a possibility they could be the only adjustments Klopp will make.

Nunez may be the most likely to get in on the left flank in attack, with Klopp impressing Cody Gakow’s defensive work in a central position.

If the manager decides to stay with a similar team, the Reds could line up as follows:

If these are the changes made by Klopp, the squad will look like this:

Allison. Alexander-Arnold, Conat, Gomez, Robertson; Bagsetic, Keita, Thiago; Wrong, Nunez, Gakpo

However, with players like Joel Matip, Fabinho and Henderson yet to start since that defeat at Brighton, there is a chance Klopp feels they need some game time.

Nunez’s return also gives Klopp the chance to deploy Gakpo on the left side of attack, where he has been impressive for PSV.

Here’s another way the reds can line up:

Alexander-Arnold and Matip replacing Milner, Gomez Fabinho, Henderson replacing Bagcetic and Keita Nunez replacing Elliott, with Gakpo moving to the left

That would see Liverpool line up as follows:

Allison. Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

Klopp and Liverpool are fully aware that they must produce a more consistent performance than they did two weeks ago if they are to have any chance of advancing to the fifth round.

Milner, Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones, Elliott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all game-time hopefuls, but with another week to go until the Reds next clash against Wolverhampton, it is unlikely that Klopp will make sweeping changes.

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