Liverpool lineups against Brighton – Sadio Mané rested while the midfield gets a big boost

Sadio Mane rested while Jordan Henderson returns

Paul Gorst: So then, on to the dreaded Saturday afternoon kick for Liverpool.

No less on the south coast. Jurgen Klopp has been very outspoken in his opposition to the games on Wednesday evening and Saturday morning, but there is little he can do at this stage.

At least he knows that three points at Brighton will send his team back to the top of the Premier League.

Alisson Becker will start in goal for his 100th appearance as a Liverpool goalkeeper.

James Milner comes back in the back four alongside Fabinho, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson.

In midfield, Curtis Jones will keep his place, as will Gini Wijnaldum with a recall for Jordan Henderson after returning to training this week.

At the top, I’m going to give Sadio Mane a rest and name Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino as my front three.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Jones; Jota, Salah, Firmino.

Captain starts when Nat Phillips gets the nod again

Ian Doyle: Maybe Liverpool may have an extra player for today’s game in Brighton.

Jordan Henderson was back in team training – or at least some of it – on Thursday, and he will push for involvement on the South Coast.

A leap of faith means that the skipper can start in a midfield that, as usual nowadays, also includes Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones.

However, the rest of the team sees many changes.

Out goes the whole back four who played against Atalanta. Joel Matip shouldn’t get three starts a week, and Fabinho can replace him.

In addition to the center-back, Brighton’s threat of set pieces means Nat Phillips could have a second Premier League start.

Andy Robertson returns as a left back, with James Milner on the right.

Up front it is time for Sadio Mane to rest. He’s been looking exhausted lately.

Diogo Jota can start on the left, with Roberto Firmino in the center 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 front three in front of him

Peter Harris: Alisson between the sticks of course for a landmark appearance.

James Milner steps in at right back as Andy Robertson returns to the starting XI while Joel Matip and Fabinho continue their collaboration at the center of the defense.

The time has come for Jordan Henderson’s much-needed return to midfield. He can help his side shake off Atalanta’s result and ensure they have enough fire to return to Merseyside with all three points.

Next to the captain of a midfield duo is Gini Wijnaldum – we won’t know how much we really miss him until he’s gone.

* Have a question for Andy Robertson? Let us know ahead of our exclusive Facebook Q + A here.

Roberto Firmino was undervalued at times impressively against Leicester and not just because of his well-taken and long-coming header.

On a number of occasions he seemed to fall back a bit to become an extra man in midfield. He was able to provide a target when passing the back, hold up play for the attackers to make a run and take them out with a key pass.

It’s a role he can replicate against Brighton with Salah, Mane and Jota in front of him – and maybe we’ll be debating how number 9 actually is a 10 soon.

My team: (4-2-1-3): Alisson; Milner, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Firmino; Jota, Mane, Salah.