Liverpool vs Brighton
Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off saw Liverpool make the trip to Brighton.
The Reds headed into the tie knowing a point would be enough to, temporarily at least, return them to the summit of the Premier League table.
Tottenham would start the weekend in top spot, but with Jose Mourinho’s side facing Chelsea on Sunday, a win over Brighton for Liverpool would no doubt put pressure on the likes of Spurs and Chelsea.
Liverpool, despite their injury woes, have been in decent form of late in the league, losing just once all term.
However, they did suffer a rare loss at Anfield in midweek vs Atalanta.
Brighton, though, should on paper have posed much less of a threat.,
Graham Potter’s side play some nice football, but their inability to keep clean sheets has really hampered them this term.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Jurgen Klopp the head coach / manager of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Watford FC at Anfield on December 14, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Joel Matip missed out for Liverpool vs Brighton
Ahead of the Brighton game, Liverpool would, as is customary, release their starting line-up an hour before kick-off.
And as well as the long-term absentees being sidelined, another key name was missing from the matchday squad.
Said player was Joel Matip, Liverpool’s only senior, fit first-team centre-back.
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔴
The Reds to take on @OfficialBHAFC 👊
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 28, 2020
As a result, with Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk already sidelined for a good chunk of the season, there was no doubt widespread fear amongst the Liverpool faithful that their centre-back woes have taken another hit.
However, as reported by James Pearce of the Athletic, Matip is not injured, with Liverpool simply attempting to manage the African’s fitness:
Joel Matip not injured. #LFC managing his minutes given his fitness issues earlier in the season and having played twice already this week.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) November 28, 2020
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