Liverpool will aim to maintain their strong Premier League form when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield today.
This match marks the second time in just four days that the Reds will face Fabian Hurzeler’s side, having secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
While Arne Slot is likely to make several changes to the team that triumphed over the Seagulls in midweek, he also has to contend with significant injury challenges.
This has become a familiar situation for Liverpool, who have quietly navigated a period without several key players in recent weeks.
The Liverpool head coach has opted to downplay the impact of these absences, instead focusing on leveraging his squad to maintain the team’s positive momentum through a demanding schedule that included matches against Arsenal, Leipzig, and Brighton over the past week.
However, he will have to continue without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is not expected to return until after the November international break.
The same outlook applies to both Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa.
Jota remains sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained during the win over Chelsea at Anfield, following a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo in the first half of that match.
Chiesa has faced fitness struggles over the past month since making his full debut in the 5-1 League Cup victory against West Ham at Anfield.
Slot has indicated that the Italian is still working to adapt to Liverpool’s training regimen.
“It is always difficult to tell you exactly when they are ready because especially the last phase of the recovery can always be a few days extra or less,” he said.
“The fact is that they [Alisson and Jota] are not there before the international break and let’s see if they can join us after.
“Chiesa is not back before the international break, but there is only a week to go.
“We are hoping he can do things again during the international break and that he can join us afterwards.”
Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is back running but has yet to rejoin full training since breaking his foot while on duty with the England under-21s during the September international break.
The young midfielder hopes to make progress during the November break and return to contention afterward.
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