Liverpool could make a statement against Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon, following losing their opening game of the season to Tottenham Hotspur in a disputed Premier League contest last week.
Jurgen Klopp criticised the erratic officiating that prevented Liverpool from passing Manchester City for the top spot after the Seagulls were crushed 6-1 at Aston Villa last weekend. He will, however, now be entirely focused on exploiting the Seagulls’ own troubles.
Despite many absences, Liverpool will be confident that their fresh vigour will be enough to capture three points on the south coast.
What has changed with the Liverpool squad?
Liverpool will be missing Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones after they were both sent off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jota scored in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise last week.
Speaking of absent goal scorers, Cody Gakpo, who tied the game before halftime against the Spurs, is expected to be out until after the international break.
The Dutchman, along with Thiago Alcantara and his young Spanish colleague Stefan Bajcetic, narrows Klopp’s midfield options for the match at the AMEX Stadium.
Nonetheless, Trent Alexander-Arnold is poised to make his first Premier League start in more than a month after recovering from a hamstring injury, which might offer the winning spark.
Why should Liverpool start Wataru Endo?
Wataru Endo’s move to Liverpool may have’surprised’ him, but he is filling the void left by Jordan Henderson and Fabinho at Anfield | Daily Mail Online
Wataru Endo is another player whose early involvement would be prudent in mitigating Brighton’s threat. Since joining Liverpool for around £16 million from German club Stuttgart in August, the hardworking midfielder has been a regular in the starting lineup.
Liverpool will make a decision on Wataru Endo after suffering injuries and suspensions – Liverpool Echo
Jones has improved significantly in 2023 and has secured a starting spot for himself, but the Scouser will be replaced for the next three Premier League games after collecting a red card in London.
Endo was’surprised’ by his move to Liverpool, but he’s filling the void left by Hendo and Fabinho | All Football
Endo, a thirty-year-old center presence who is cool and composed, may not be the most technically gifted, but he can fill in nicely in the middle and could be the missing component that allows players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to develop.
While Endo may be the ideal candidate for the holding role later today, Ryan Gravenberch, who has been fantastic since signing in the summer, will be seeking for his first Premier League start.
Endo’s performance against a flowing opponent was evident in the Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City, but there will definitely be more challenging tests ahead. However, given Brighton’s excellent ball-playing style, Endo as the midfield anchor could be critical.
Given that Albion have completed 4169 passes this season, more than Liverpool (3793), and that the Reds have completed the fourth-most passes overall, Roberto De Zerbi will definitely try to stymie the Reds’ development.
According to FBref, the Japan star is among the top 8% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial wins and the top 15% for clearances per 90, thus the home team will have their work cut out for them given Endo’s strength in the center.
According to Bundesliga commentator Kevin Thatchard, the £50k-per-week player is a “proper warrior and leader,” and he might be the difference-maker for Klopp’s club as they aim to return to winning ways by sinking the Seagulls.