Brighton team news as Liverpool face key selection dilemma

Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield within the FA Cup on Saturday night time, and each groups might rotate as they steadiness league priorities with cup ambitions.

Arne Slot addressed the media by way of Liverpoolfc.com on Friday morning and made it clear that squad administration will likely be central to his considering forward of this fourth-round tie.

Brighton staff information and Fabian Hurzeler replace

Brighton journey to Merseyside after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in midweek, however Fabian Hurzeler has been handed a lift by way of availability.

Mats Wieffer, who has not featured since December, is match to return.

Hurzeler mentioned: “Mats Wieffer will likely be again in order that’s a constructive one. Mats is a giant participant who has a huge impact on our recreation.

“He has a giant persona as effectively so we positively missed him and we’re all comfortable that he’s again now.”

Jan Paul van Hecke can be anticipated to begin regardless of being substituted towards Villa.

Hurzeler confirmed: “Jan Paul needs to be OK to begin once more. Yasin Ayari continues to be lacking. He’s doing rehab, however he’s getting nearer.”

Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster stay long-term absentees for Brighton, which might affect how aggressive they’re with their choice.

Given Brighton’s league place doesn’t mirror their underlying performances, this isn’t a fixture that lends itself to wholesale experimentation from both facet.

Liverpool rotation anticipated as Slot balances priorities

For us, the important thing headline stays Wataru Endo’s damage.

Talking on the AXA Coaching Centre, Slot confirmed: “A foot damage. We nonetheless must do some assessments nevertheless it’s clear and apparent that he will likely be out for fairly a very long time.”

That leaves our No.3 sidelined after his courageous show at right-back within the 1-0 win over Sunderland.

Jeremie Frimpong has missed the final three matches, whereas Conor Bradley, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni stay unavailable, though Liverpool have shared recent pictures of Isak persevering with his rehabilitation, which affords encouragement relating to his longer-term return.

Slot admitted the scheduling has created a real dilemma.

He defined: “It’s discovering the fitting steadiness… do you play the identical gamers once more or the others? Is that this a second for the others? However which others and through which place?”

Our head coach added: “The load administration is essential as effectively as a result of the very last thing we might use proper now’s one other damage.”

With three competitions nonetheless technically in play and league kind bettering after Wednesday’s victory, it could not be shocking to see managed rotation somewhat than sweeping modifications.

Brighton are aggressive in nearly each match they play, and whereas the FA Cup usually encourages alternatives for youthful gamers, Slot’s feedback counsel this will likely be a calculated choice somewhat than a chance.

Crew information for either side factors in the direction of measured changes somewhat than full reshuffles, which ought to make for a balanced and intriguing tie at Anfield.

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