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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp explains Brighton team selection after Man City slip up
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has explained his team selection for their showdown with Brighton after Manchester City slipped up earlier today.
Liverpool are targeting the Premier League title with Klopp determined to end the Reds’ agonising wait for the prize.
The Reds are among the favourites to reign supreme come May and have started the season in fine form, thumping West Ham and battling their way past bogey team Crystal Palace.
Liverpool can go top of the table if they beat Brighton today, after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves earlier today.
Klopp has opted against tinkering with his side, meaning attacking trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all start.
And the Liverpool boss has explained his decision to stick, rather than twist, against Brighton.
He said: “Not the most difficult decision of my life but it was not too easy.
“The boys push from behind, that’s how it is, that’s clear.
“We had a nearly normal training week, one or two sessions more would have helped for sure, but we stick to that and there’s no big reason to change.
“I think after the international break then we will need the whole squad and will use the whole squad, and hopefully in a big game today we can win.”
Klopp also reflected on Liverpool’s victory over Palace on Monday night.
He added: “After the game I was more enthusiastic about the result than I was the performance, particularly regarding our attacking play or how we used the ball in offensive positions. I pointed out the goals came in decisive moments.
“Speaking immediately post-match is always difficult because you are giving an instant reaction rather than one that benefits from analysis.
“What was very evident – both in the immediate after and the more considered evaluation – is that the result was achieved against a very high-performing opponent.
“I knew before, and then saw during, just how competitive Crystal Palace are and they were excellent on the night. It made our performance and result more pleasing.
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“There are different ways to win and I know one of the criticisms of us in past seasons is that we struggle to find a way to get over a finish line when we aren’t at our best. The performance was mature and patient. We showed we have resilience.
“On reflection we certainly deserved to win, because I thought we were better and dominant. I think maybe the correct terminology is that we earned it.
“We earned it through perseverance and endeavour. We created a lot of very, very good chances and didn’t present our opponent with that many.
“All the credit goes to the players for this – those who started and those who came on. What I can guarantee is that we will need to display all our best qualities again today if we want a positive result.”