Liverpool head to Brighton without Salah as top-four race heats up
Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final place is secure after their emphatic 4-0 second-leg demolition of Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday, but the cost was steep. Salah limped off in the second half with a muscular problem, and Alisson Becker is also ruled out with a fresh injury scare. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start between the posts at the Amex.
Slot's selection puzzle
Without Salah on the right, Slot may turn to Dominik Szoboszlai to fill the gap, or push Cody Gakpo into a wider role. Florian Wirtz and Ekitike should retain their places after strong showings in Europe. The bigger worry for Liverpool is their domestic form. One point from their last two league games, a defeat at Wolves and a draw against Tottenham, has seen them slip to fifth on 49 points, two behind Aston Villa in the final Champions League spot.
Brighton, meanwhile, arrive in decent shape. Three wins from four has pushed Fabian Hurzeler's team up to 12th, and the return of Kaoru Mitoma from an ankle problem hands the Seagulls a timely boost. Their home record has been patchy this season, just two wins from nine at the Amex, but there is enough quality in this squad to cause a weakened Liverpool real problems.
A lunchtime kick-off with big implications
The 12:30 PM GMT kick-off gives Liverpool the chance to put pressure on the teams above them before the rest of Saturday's card plays out. Everton host Chelsea and Leeds take on Brentford later in the afternoon, so a win here could shift the picture significantly.
Liverpool have won the last two meetings with Brighton, including a 2-0 victory at Anfield in December, but their record on the south coast has been shaky. Just one win in their last five visits across all competitions should give Brighton hope that they can take advantage of a stretched visiting squad.
