Liverpool Team News v Brighton: Alisson and Salah Ruled Out as Slot Rings Changes

Liverpool conclude their pre-international-break schedule on the south coast this afternoon, tasked with overcoming a Brighton & Hove Albion side buoyed by three wins in their last four outings. The Reds arrive at the Amex Stadium hoping to climb into the Premier League’s top four before the March hiatus, but they do so without two of their most influential figures.

In a double setback revealed inside the final 24 hours, both Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Alisson Becker have been ruled out. Alisson’s subsequent Instagram activity hints at a prolonged spell on the sidelines, intensifying the pressure on deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili, who steps in for his first league start since joining the club.

Head coach Arne Slot has been forced into two changes from the XI that dismantled Galatasaray 4-0 in midweek. Mamardashvili’s inclusion is the headline switch, while Salah’s vacancy is filled by Cody Gakpo, who partners Hugo Ekitike in attack.

The back four remains intact: Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Milos Kerkez shield the new-look goalkeeper. Ahead of them, the midfield quartet of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz is retained, leaving Slot to decide whether to persist with the midweek diamond or push one of the four into a wide attacking role.

Among the substitutes, Freddie Woodman provides additional goalkeeping cover, with Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez offering defensive experience. A clutch of academy talents—Rio Ngumoha, Kieran Morrison, Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay—round out a youthful bench tasked with seeing out the contest should Liverpool require fresh impetus.

Kick-off at the Amex is imminent, and with Champions League disappointment still fresh, the reshuffled Reds have everything to play for in their pursuit of a crucial three points.