By Sam McGuire
There’s not quite a bit at stake on the Amex, however it nonetheless appears set to be an intriguing match-up.
Liverpool have eased up
We’ll handle the elephant within the room. Liverpool haven’t received a recreation since securing the title with a 5-1 victory towards Spurs. They misplaced to Chelsea (3-1) earlier than giving up a 2-0 lead towards Arsenal, at Anfield, final Sunday.
The crew don’t appear to care although. The title is secured.
They’re having fun with themselves. The squad have been in Dubai all week whereas Arne Slot was pictured in Ibiza. The Reds actually are on the seashore. On the pitch they’re going to simply be going by way of the motions.
Properly, all however one participant, anyway.
Mohamed Salah continues to chase information
Salah wants two assists within the closing two matches to turn into the primary participant since Thierry Henry to register 20+ targets and 20+ assists in a single season. He’s additionally only one purpose involvement away from matching a report presently held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer.
Everybody else is perhaps on the seashore, mentally, however Salah continues to be centered on influencing issues within the closing third. In fact, he ought to’ve had not less than one help in his final outing. He put it on a plate for Luis Díaz, solely to see David Raya pull off a outstanding save to thwart the Liverpool No. 7.
He spent the remainder of the sport attempting to help teammates, even opting to cross up alternatives to shoot in favour of making a possibility as a substitute.
The Liverpool No. 11 goes to be seeking to end the season on a person excessive in addition to a collective one. He has an excellent report towards the Seagulls, scoring the winner when the 2 sides met at Anfield final outing.
What’s going to occur with Trent Alexander-Arnold?
For a second successive week, Alexander-Arnold has been a scorching subject of debate.
He changed Conor Bradley at Anfield final weekend and each contact was met by a refrain of boos from the Anfield crowd. This has divided opinion on-line, however it’s fairly clear that Liverpool followers will not be comfortable along with his determination to go away the membership to hitch Actual Madrid.
It soured the environment on Merseyside final weekend.
Does Slot danger ruining the texture good vibe once more by naming him within the beginning XI? Does the Dutchman danger having him within the squad in any respect?
There are many unknowns proper now.
The Seagulls are hovering, type of
Brighton are doing effectively over not too long ago weeks. They’ve taken eight factors from a attainable 15, dropping simply one in all their final 5 within the Premier League.
Nevertheless, they’ve scored not less than two in three of those matches. They beat an in-form Wolves aspect 2-0 final outing and managed to carry Champions League chasing Newcastle United to a 1-1 draw.
They’ve the standard and the personnel to trigger issues.
Damage points
The hosts are with out some key names in James Milner, Solly March, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Georginio Rutter. They do, nevertheless, nonetheless have a gifted squad to choose from, so naming a aggressive XI to face the champions shouldn’t be a difficulty for Fabian Hürzeler.
Liverpool, in the meantime, have everybody accessible to them aside from Joe Gomez. Slot has some massive choices to make forward of the sport. He has too many gamers for his matchday squad.
Prediction
We’re going to go together with a slender 2-1 win for the hosts.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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