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Sadio Mane rested after Jordan Henderson returns
Paul Gorst: So, let’s move on to the formidable kick-off on Saturday noon for Liverpool.
On the south coast, nothing less. Jurgen Klopp has been very vocal in his opposition to Wednesday night and Saturday morning matches, but there isn’t much he can do at this point.
He knows at least three points at Brighton will send his side back to the top of the Premier League.
Alisson Becker will start in goals for his 100th appearance as a Liverpool goalkeeper.
James Milner to return to the bottom four alongside Fabinho, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, Curtis Jones is keeping his spot, as is Gini Wijnaldum with a recall for Jordan Henderson following his return to training this week.
At the top, I’ll give Sadio Mane a rest and name Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as my top three.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Jones; Jota, Salah, Firmino.
Captain starts as Nat Phillips gets the nod again
Ian Doyle: Maybe, just maybe, Liverpool could have an extra player for today’s game at Brighton.
Jordan Henderson was back in team training on Thursday – or at least in part – and he will be pushing for involvement on the South Coast.
A leap of faith means that the skipper can start in a midfielder that also includes, as is usually the case these days, Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones.
The rest of the team, however, sees a lot of change.
The four full-backs who played against Atalanta are eliminated. Joel Matip is not yet expected to have three starts in a week, and Fabinho can replace him.
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Alongside the center-back, Brighton’s threat on set pieces means Nat Phillips can have a second Premier League start.
Andy Robertson returns to the left-back, with James Milner to the right.
Up front, it’s time for Sadio Mane to rest. He looks exhausted lately.
Diogo Jota can start on the left, with Roberto Firmino in the middle and Mohamed Salah on the right.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Jota.
Roberto Firmino can wreak havoc with the top three ahead of him
Peter Harris: Alisson enters the sticks naturally for a historic appearance.
James Milner steps in at right-back while Andy Robertson returns to the starting XI as Joel Matip and Fabinho continue their partnership in the center of defense.
Now is the time for Jordan Henderson’s much needed return to midfield. He can help his team get rid of Atalanta’s result and make sure they are motivated enough to come back to Merseyside with all three points.
Alongside the captain in a midfield duo is Gini Wijnaldum – we’ll know how much we really miss him when he’s gone.
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Roberto Firmino has been quietly impressive against Leicester at times and not just because of his well-taken and long-standing goal.
On several occasions he appeared to step back a bit to become an additional man in midfield. He was able to provide a target during the back faint, delay play for attackers to make a run, and trigger them with a key pass.
It’s a role he can replicate against Brighton with Salah, Mane and Jota ahead of him – and maybe we’ll soon be debating how number 9 is actually a 10.
My team: (4-2-1-3): Alisson; Milner, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Firmino; Jota, Mane, Salah.
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