Hopefully, everyone is feeling a bit more optimistic after our lively performance in the European Cup. It’s a quick turnaround and trip down to the South coast to play Brighton in the league (which means an early start for travelling fans, or a night out in Brighton beforehand).
Match officials for the game: Referee: Darren England. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Tim Robinson. VAR: James Bell. Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes.
We will have to wait until Arne’s press conference on Friday for injury news, but Mo Salah will be a doubt after being subbed last night.
Well, everyone has been so down for weeks. I’ve taken to watching miserable films to cheer myself up. I even have Watership Down lined up after it popped up in my timeline the other week, so if we fuck this one up I’ll be watching the dead rabbit film.
If Salah is out, I could see us keeping the same narrow 4-4-2 shape from last night but start Gakpo up top alongside Ekitike. And in that change, obviously change it to Ekitike being the right sided striker and Gakpo being the left one.
I’ve also been browsing back through Brightons matches this season, they are in good form so apologies if this is jinxing.
Interestingly though they have conceded goals quite often down their left hand side e.g from players that play in the right forward positions.
Maybe Mo signalling to come off after his assists and goal last night was planned tactical? They already know in advance that Mitoma (a left sided forward) will be unavailable for Saturday as well.
Best result we’ll get here is a draw imo. Actually feel for Slot going into this one because everyone will be wanting a repeat of last night’s performance but even if we start off at a high tempo I doubt we’ll be able to maintain it over 90 minutes.
Last night’s game will have taken a bit out of us and I would have liked to see a few changes made after the 4th goal. Instead we continued to play with the same intensity when we should really have just seen the last 20 minutes out. The cynic in me did wonder if Slot kept everyone on as an excuse to fall back on if it goes tits-up.
We can make a few changes. Robbo for Kerkez. Joe at RB so Frimpong can replace Salah. Jones for MacAllister, Mac can replace Dom if he tires. Really don’t want to see Ekiteke left out and Gakpo at CF.
My favourite kick off time. These days that’s 9:30 PM. Enough time to get home from eating out, get a shower and be ready to go with a cold can of Kirin in my hand.
Hope Frimpong plays up front in place of Mo. Would like to see Rio start as we are more likely to score with him on the pitch.
I am rudely awakened by a Youtube advert for a warship game with music by Sabaton, only to be greeted by Arne’s empty chair. Oh well…
Arne arrives 10 minutes late
Salah availability: Not available for tomorrow. Not available for Egypt but hoping he will recover faster over international break.
Joe Gomez: Might be available for tomorrow but not to start.
Reasons replicating CL form in league: Styles make fights. If a game is not entertaining it is not down to Liverpool. Gala wanted to play and that suited us.
Momentum: Only 62 hours of rest. Players can pick up injuries when games come too fast (e.g. Frimpong). Brighton have wanted to play in past.
Brighton have conceded more in first half: Arne says we struggled to score goals full stop. Difficult to play team after short turnaround.
We are the only team having to go from a Wednesday fixture to 12:30 Saturday. We normally train around that time so Arne doesn’t object about kick-off time.
Mo Salah bouncing back from penalty miss: Whole team played well which helps individuals. Mo has mental strength and experience helps. He had put miss behind him and played well after.
Brighton had high xG against us, but we have been able to get results against them. Brighton have been unlucky this season.
Mo’s injury: Muscle injury.
Dom at RB rather midfield? Dom is a midfielder. If he plays out of position it is because we have no option and Dom is best option of those available. If he can play in midfield, he will.
If everyone is available then Dom is strongest in midfield. Maybe it was wrong decision in games we lost.
Contract for Slot: Not changed by one result! Slot’s focus is on next game. (seriously! the journo expected an answer!)
Should Premier League make fixture list easier for teams playing in Europe? It’s complicated because so many teams involved and competing with TV obligations. Far from ideal but we have to accept it.
Salah - should he play more central? Styles make fights. If game is open then there will be more chances for Salah. Can’t compare Galatasaray to Leeds or Sunderland (for example). Obviously opposition managers will try to limit his opportunities.
Stream cut out before end, but I think that was it.
TLDR: Salah injured, Gomez on bench, Brighton tomorrow lunchtime.
