Liverpool name unfamiliar side to face Brighton as Jurgen Klopp responds to hectic schedule with mass rotation

1 month ago 1

Liverpool were able to call upon Mohamed Salah – but Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane were on the bench as Jurgen Klopp named an unfamiliar starting XI for the clash with Brighton.

The Reds travel to the Amex Stadium for the lunchtime clash – live on talkSPORT – and they continue to be hit by a serious injury crisis.

Teenager Neco Williams starts at right backGetty Images - Getty

Salah is in the starting line-up again, while Jordan Henderson has overcome a thigh injury suffered on international duty, but is only fit enough to make the bench.

Liverpool are still without Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Thiago Alcantara, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk.

Klopp recently accepted it is a ‘waste of time’ moaning about the hectic fixture schedule, amid some criticism over his constant complaints.

The German has responded to the quick turnaround following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Atalanta on Wednesday by naming Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips in the team to face Brighton, while Takumi Minamino comes in for Mane.

There’s also no place in the squad for Joel Matip but it’s understood the defender isn’t carrying an injury and his minutes are being managed having played twice already this week.

Phillips makes his second PL appearance at centre-backGetty Images - Getty