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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces major Darwin Nunez decision as Liverpool consider defence overhaul

Liverpool suffered more Premier League frustration when they were held to a home draw by Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Roberto Firmino scored twice and Adam Webster put through his own goal as the Reds came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, only to be pegged back in a six-goal thriller. Liverpool will now look to build on their Champions League group win over Ajax last month when they entertain Rangers on Tuesday evening.

And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

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Gomez to come in?

Debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold's form reached a crescendo at the weekend following a poor performance against Brighton. With summer signing Calvin Ramsay having only just started training at his new club, Joe Gomez is the other available option at right-back.

On the other side of the defence, Andy Robertson's knee injury means Kostas Tsimikas is likely to have to continue despite being replaced on the hour by James Milner on Saturday after a below-par display.

At centre-back, Ibrahima Konate is back available and could challenge for starting roles currently occupied by Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. Gomez is another possibility, along with Nat Phillips.

In goal, Caoimhin Kelleher returned to action with the under-21s at the weekend and will compete with Adrian to be understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Elliott poser

A lack of midfield options has hurt Liverpool this season, and with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain not even in the Champions League squad for the group stage and Curtis Jones injured, Klopp has few alternatives.

Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara all started against Brighton with varying degrees of success, although Henderson was making his first start in more than a month after injury.

That could mean the skipper drops out in midweek, with Harvey Elliott the most likely to step in ahead of Arthur Melo, who is still building up fitness. James Milner is another possibility but has struggled in the Champions League this term.

A change of formation to 4-2-3-1 could see Fabio Carvalho shifted centrally after a difficult time on the left on Saturday, although Firmino has featured in an attacking midfield role already this season.

Nunez at the ready

Firmino may have scored twice against Brighton but the heavy schedule and the need to integrate Darwin Nunez into the first team could see the Uruguayan given his first Champions League start for Liverpool after two brief substitute appearances.

Luis Diaz will be expected to return on the left flank having been benched on Saturday, while the availability of Diogo Jota opens the possibility of Mohamed Salah being given a well-earned rest having been a regular on the right.

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