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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Ian Doyle

Liverpool line-ups for Brighton as Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate decisions made

Sadio Mane returns as Naby Keita starts

Ian Doyle: It won't be a breeze against Brighton for Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

But having rested just about everyone at Preston in the midweek Carabao Cup win, Jurgen Klopp can go at the game with reasonable strength.

What, then, to do?

The goalkeeper and full-backs are a given - Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

So too one of the centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk.

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The Dutchman's partner, though, isn't quite so straightforward, but I'd plump for Joel Matip to be the one player to keep his place from midweek.

In midfield, it's essentially four into three.

Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones can provide experience and legs, while Naby Keita should be fit enough to see if he can maintain his fine creative form.

Up top, Sadio Mane can resume in place of Diogo Jota in the traditional front three alongside Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk

Sean Bradbury: Let's start with the easy bit.

Not many midfielders are available, so a central trio of Jordan Henderson sitting deep with Naby Keita and Curtis Jones ahead of him pretty much picks itself.

At the back I would hand Ibrahima Konate another game.

He can build on his Old Trafford success and hopefully help thwart the danger Brighton pose in the air.

The rest of the defence is comprised of Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Up front is a tricky one as always

But based on the fact I would definitely start Diogo Jota next week against Atletico Madrid, the usual suspects of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino get the nod for today.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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