Today marks 30 years since Jean-Marc Bosman changed football forever.
Please allow me to explain.
Without Bosman, modern football might not have concepts such as free transfers or players being able to leave a club without a fee once their contracts expire.
Jean-Marc Bosman was a former R.F.C. Liège player. When his contract with the club expired, another club expressed interest in signing him. However, R.F.C. Liège refused to release him unless the French club paid a transfer fee, which was the rule at the time.
The interested club declined to pay the fee. In response, Liège sidelined Bosman and reduced his salary by 75%, as he was no longer part of their playing plans.
Feeling unfairly treated, Bosman took R.F.C. Liège, the Belgian Football Association, and UEFA to court, arguing that the rule violated players’ rights.
On 15 December 1995, a European court ruled in his favour. The judgment stated that:
Players are free to move to another club once their contract expires
Clubs within the European Union can sign an unlimited number of EU players (previously restricted)
This landmark decision became known as the Bosman Ruling.
While footballers around the world continue to benefit from this ruling, Bosman himself paid a heavy price. He spent most of his money pursuing the legal case, sold his home, and his marriage eventually collapsed due to financial hardship.
He later suffered from depression, and his life declined further, including legal issues and struggles with alcohol.
Modern football enjoys freedoms that exist because one man challenged the system, even though it ultimately cost him everything.
First it was Rashford’s brother, then Garnacho’s and now Mainoo’s.
But look at the bigger picture:
— Rashford’s brother doesn’t say shit when he gets benched at Barca now.
— Garnacho’s brother doesn’t say shit when he gets benched at Chelsea.
— And I guarantee you, Mainoo’s brother would never do this at another club.
They only do this shit at United because of the rotten environment and culture where players and their families feel entitled.
That’s what you get when you side with players over managers and refuse to let managers build a proper culture. A culture where players understand their place.
For your information, this is exactly why INEOS are backing Amorim. And don’t be surprised if they sell any player who thinks he’s bigger than the manager or the club, no matter how talented they are.
India have their first ever win at Edgbaston, as Akash Deep completes a ten-wicket haul for the match! India were under pressure after losing an unloseable Test, they were under pressure for their team selection. They were questioned for letting Jamie Smith and Harry Brook add 303 runs in England's first innings.
Arsenal Football Club runs one of the most respected youth development systems in England. The Arsenal Academy, based at London Colney, has produced legends and modern stars including Tony Adams, Jack Wilshere, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Serge Gnabry, and many others.
If you’re asking “How can I join Arsenal academy?”, “Are Arsenal academy trials open?”, or “Is Arsenal academy free?”, this guide gives you the real facts.
How Can I Join Arsenal FC Academy?
Arsenal does not accept direct online applications from the public.
Players are recruited through:
Club scouts attending youth matches
Playing for elite grassroots or professional academies
Arsenal-linked development centres and regional programs
Outstanding performances in youth competitions and tournaments
If a scout identifies you, Arsenal may invite you for assessment or training.
Arsenal Academy Trials – Are They Open?
A very common search is “Arsenal academy trials”, but here is the truth:
No open trials for Arsenal Academy No paid trials
All Arsenal academy trials are:
Invite-only
Conducted internally through scouting
Anyone claiming to sell Arsenal trials or guaranteed spots is not official.
How to Join Arsenal Youth Academy (Age Groups)
Arsenal Academy recruits players from:
U8 to U18
Most recruitment occurs between ages 9–15
Older players may enter as scholars or professionals
International players face FIFA youth transfer rules and UK visa requirements, making selection very competitive.
How Much Is Arsenal Academy Fees?
One of the most searched questions:
How much is Arsenal academy fees?
Arsenal Academy is completely FREE
Players who join receive:
Free elite coaching
Access to world-class training facilities
Education and academic support
Medical, nutrition, and welfare services
Accommodation assistance for scholars
Players are developed as professionals, not charged as customers.
Is Arsenal Academy Free for International Players?
Yes. If officially recruited, Arsenal Academy is free, including for international players.
However:
Initial travel and visa logistics may involve families
Once registered, Arsenal provides full development and welfare support
Arsenal Soccer Schools & Development Centres
Arsenal operates:
Arsenal Soccer Schools (paid)
Arsenal Development Centres (UK)
Important to note:
Soccer schools do not guarantee academy selection
Development centres are monitored but still highly competitive
Exceptional talent may progress, but no promises are made
Final Advice for Arsenal Academy Aspirants
Play competitive football at a recognized club
Attend high-level youth tournaments
Focus on technical ability, intelligence, and attitude
Avoid anyone asking for money for Arsenal trials
Arsenal selects players based on talent, discipline, and long-term potential, not payments.
Newcastle United and Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday lunchtime when they meet at St James’ Park, both sides coming into the game on the back of EFL Cup quarter final success in midweek.
The two teams face each other for the first time since May last season, when goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes secured a 2-0 home win for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Newcastle edged closer to another EFL Cup triumph on Wednesday night after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham. Local youngster Lewis Miley scored a stoppage time winner in a tense contest, while Yoane Wissa also found the net on his first start for the club. A challenging two legged semi final against Manchester City now lies ahead in 2026, but attention quickly turns back to league matters.
Howe’s side currently sit 12th after 16 games, with six wins, four draws and six defeats, yet they remain just four points adrift of the top five. Their league form took a hit last weekend with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to rivals Sunderland, a result that extended their run without a clean sheet to nine consecutive Premier League matches.
A return to home comforts should offer some encouragement. Newcastle have collected nearly three quarters of their league points at St James’ Park this season and have scored exactly twice in each of their last five home league games. Under Howe, they average two goals per home match, a figure bettered only by Kevin Keegan in the club’s managerial history.
Recent meetings with Chelsea have also gone Newcastle’s way. The Magpies have won their last two encounters by a 2-0 scoreline and have claimed victory in each of their last three home league matches against the Blues, a run they last surpassed in the mid 1990s.
Chelsea arrive in the north east after a productive week of their own. Following a 2-0 league win over Everton, they booked their place in the EFL Cup semi finals with a 3-1 victory against Cardiff City. Either Arsenal or Crystal Palace now awaits them in the last four.
Enzo Maresca’s focus, however, is firmly on the league, with five consecutive Premier League fixtures coming up as Chelsea look to strengthen their position in the top four and possibly close the eight point gap to leaders Arsenal. This visit to St James’ Park is followed by games against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Manchester City and Fulham.
Chelsea will be keen to avoid losing successive league matches against Newcastle without scoring for the first time in more than 90 years. They have been among the league’s most balanced sides this season, ranking fourth for goals scored with 27 while also leading the way for clean sheets with eight, level with Arsenal. Five of those shutouts have come in their last seven league outings.
Despite a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Leeds just over two weeks ago, Chelsea have generally been strong defensively away from home, keeping four clean sheets in their last five Premier League matches on the road, a marked improvement on their previous away record.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Newcastle’s injury problems have continued to mount, with Tino Livramento picking up a knee injury in midweek to join an already lengthy list of absentees. Dan Burn remains sidelined with a rib issue, while Nick Pope is out with a groin problem. Kieran Trippier is still recovering from a hamstring injury, Sven Botman is nursing a back issue, William Osula is out with an ankle problem and Emil Krafth continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Lewis Hall was absent for the midweek win over Fulham due to a minor hamstring concern, but Eddie Howe offered some encouragement after the match, suggesting the former Chelsea defender has a chance of being involved in some capacity this weekend.
With options limited at full back, Newcastle will be hoping Hall is fit enough to start on the left, while Lewis Miley could again be asked to fill in on the right. In midfield, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are pushing for recalls alongside Bruno Guimaraes.
Howe is still carefully managing Yoane Wissa’s workload following his long injury layoff, which could see Nick Woltemade return to lead the line. Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are also both in contention to come back into the side on the wings.
Chelsea also have several players unavailable. Young Brazilian Estevao Willian will miss out with a muscle injury, joining Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, all sidelined with various issues. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains unavailable through suspension.
After rotating heavily for the midweek victory over Cardiff, Enzo Maresca is expected to restore his strongest lineup. Cole Palmer should return to his preferred number ten role after being rested, while Joao Pedro is set to start as the central striker.
Alejandro Garnacho will be hoping his two goals off the bench against Cardiff earn him a starting spot on the left, while Pedro Neto is also likely to return. The Portuguese winger has been Chelsea’s most productive player in the league this season, with eight goal contributions, including four goals scored away from home.
Moises Caicedo is available again after serving a three match suspension and could partner Enzo Fernandez in a deeper midfield role. In defence, Reece James and Wesley Fofana are both in contention to start alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella in a back four.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Amid turmoil on and off the pitch, Liverpool head into a daunting Champions League night at the San Siro on Tuesday, where Inter Milan await in league-phase action. The Reds sit 13th with nine points from their first five games, while Inter approach the contest after suffering their first defeat of the campaign on matchday five.
Liverpool’s European journey has been a rollercoaster. From the high of beating long-time rivals Real Madrid to the low of being humbled 4-1 at Anfield by PSV Eindhoven, the Reds have encountered every emotion this season. That heavy defeat equalled a 96-year-old unwanted record, marking Liverpool’s third home loss by at least three goals in the same campaign — something not seen since 1929-30 — and has left them outside the top-eight qualification spots.
Optimists may look to the team’s three-game unbeaten run since the PSV humiliation, yet even that offers little comfort. A 2-0 win over West Ham failed to spark a domestic revival, as shown by disappointing draws against newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds United. In Saturday’s chaotic 3-3 draw with Leeds, Liverpool conceded a 96th-minute equaliser, and the drama only escalated when unused substitute Mohamed Salah accused the club of throwing him “under the bus” and revealed that his relationship with Arne Slot had completely broken down.
Despite mounting pressure, Liverpool’s hierarchy have so far refused to sack Slot, but the rift with Salah has cast serious doubt over the Egyptian’s future. Whether he plays or sits on the bench in Milan, his presence alone may still offer some support as Liverpool chase a fourth consecutive European win over Italian opposition — a task made all the more difficult by their inconsistent form.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, approach the fixture from a far more stable position. Their 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid, sealed only in stoppage time, was disappointing but nowhere near as alarming as Liverpool’s collapse against PSV. Before that loss, Inter had been perfect in the competition, comfortably defeating Kairat, Union SG, Slavia Prague and Ajax. Their strong run places them fourth in the league-phase standings, level with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Since the Atletico setback, Cristian Chivu’s side have been ruthless domestically, sweeping aside their last three opponents in Serie A and the Coppa Italia by an aggregate score of 11-1, including a 4-0 demolition of Como at the weekend.
Liverpool’s most recent visit to San Siro brought a 2-0 win in 2022, but the current context is very different. Inter have won 10 of their last 11 Champions League home league-phase/group games and look well placed to extend that record. With Liverpool mired in crisis and Inter in commanding form, the Italian giants enter Tuesday’s clash as strong favourites to compound the Reds’ problems.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
All attention quickly turned to Mohamed Salah when Liverpool’s travelling squad was announced — and the Egyptian’s name was nowhere to be found. His omission came despite a handful of unexpected attacking absences elsewhere in the squad.
Conor Bradley made his return from a muscular issue in the draw with Leeds, leaving Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) as Liverpool’s only known injury concerns. However, Cody Gakpo, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa have all been left behind for the trip to Milan.
Bradley’s domestic suspension does not apply in Europe, meaning he could keep his place at right-back. That possibility may also prompt Joe Gomez to replace the out-of-form Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
Inter, meanwhile, might be forced into a defensive reshuffle of their own. Cristiano Chivu revealed that Manuel Akanji has been dealing with illness, which could open the door for Francesco Acerbi to start in the heart of defence.
The hosts remain without Matteo Darmian (calf) and Denzel Dumfries (ankle), while centre-back Tomas Palacios (hamstring) and backup goalkeeper Raffaele Di Gennaro (scaphoid) are also sidelined.
Up front, Lautaro Martínez enters Tuesday’s clash in superb form. After scoring his 11th goal of the season against Como, the Argentine has now found the net in five consecutive Champions League home games for Inter and is expected to partner Marcus Thuram once again.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Acerbi, Bisseck, Bastoni; Augusto, Zielinski, Barella, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
On the brink of sealing their place in the Champions League last 16, a flawless Arsenal side travel to the Jan Breydel Stadium on Wednesday with full intentions of confirming qualification when they meet Club Brugge.
The Gunners arrive in Belgium fresh from a commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on matchday five, a performance that reaffirmed their status as Europe’s in-form force. Brugge, meanwhile, were swept aside 3-0 by Sporting Lisbon and now stare down the possibility of an early exit just days after a managerial shake-up.
Arsenal’s latest European statement came in a top-of-the-table showdown at the Emirates on November 26, where they outclassed Bayern to preserve their perfect Champions League record. Their run of clean sheets in the competition finally ended through Lennart Karl’s equaliser, but it mattered little as Arsenal tightened their grip on the top spot of the 36-team league phase.
Historically, 16 points have always guaranteed qualification for the last 16, and while calculations for this expanded format are complex, victory in Bruges would almost certainly push Mikel Arteta’s men directly into the round of 16 for the second consecutive season. At minimum, they have already locked in a playoff berth and now chase a 10th straight win in this stage of the competition, along with a 10th match unbeaten against Belgian opposition.
What they have never achieved, however, is a perfect six-for-six in a Champions League group run, and they arrive in Bruges wounded from a narrow 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa that cut their domestic lead over Manchester City to just two points.
Club Brugge enter this contest in stark contrast. After opening their European campaign with a stunning 4-1 demolition of Monaco, their momentum has completely collapsed. The Belgian side have collected only one point from their last four Champions League fixtures—a thrilling 3-3 draw against Barcelona—while Atalanta, Bayern and Sporting Lisbon have all proven superior in recent weeks.
Their loss to Sporting on matchday five dropped them to 26th in the league-phase table, and their domestic fortunes have followed the same downward trajectory. Consecutive defeats to Royal Antwerp and St Truiden have left them third in the Belgian Pro League and five points behind leaders Union SG. The slump cost manager Nicky Hayen his job just two days before Arsenal’s visit, leaving new head coach Ivan Leko to face an enormous task in his debut match.
Despite their troubles, Brugge can point to an encouraging streak of five unbeaten Champions League home games in the league-phase format. Yet history does them no favours: they have suffered 14 defeats in 18 contests against English opposition, a statistic that casts a long shadow over their hopes of reviving their campaign against an Arsenal squad operating at peak continental form.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Arsenal’s defensive crisis deepened further in December, with multiple key players still unavailable. Cristhian Mosquera is sidelined with an ankle problem, Gabriel Magalhaes is recovering from a thigh injury, William Saliba remains out with a knock, and Riccardo Calafiori was seen limping off at Villa Park.
Calafiori would normally be expected to start on Wednesday, especially as he will serve a Premier League suspension soon, but Myles Lewis-Skelly appears the more likely starter in Bruges. Calafiori did return to training on Tuesday, yet his involvement from the first whistle remains uncertain.
Ethan Nwaneri, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres may all be in contention for starting roles after recent appearances from the bench. Mikel Merino will need to exercise caution throughout the match, as a booking would rule him out of the upcoming fixture against Inter Milan. Declan Rice would also be walking the disciplinary tightrope, but the England midfielder is unavailable due to illness.
He is one of three fresh concerns for Arsenal alongside Leandro Trossard, who suffered a knock, and Max Dowman, who is dealing with an ankle injury.
Club Brugge also faced uncertainty in goal ahead of the match, with both Simon Mignolet and Nordin Jackers absent from the weekend defeat to St Truiden. Mignolet has since been cleared to return, easing fears of a crisis between the posts.
Centre-back Zaid Romero is also back from a back issue, giving the hosts an additional defensive option. However, Lynnt Audoor remains sidelined with a muscle problem, Ludovit Reis is out with a shoulder injury, and striker Romeo Vermant continues his recovery from concussion.
Despite the injuries, Brugge still have promising talent available. Twenty-one-year-old centre-back Joel Ordonez has attracted interest from Liverpool, while 20-year-old midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic—son of former Inter Milan Champions League winner Dejan Stankovic—is reportedly on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Club Brugge possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Siquet, Mechele, Ordonez, Seys; Stankovic, Onyedika; Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis; Tresoldi
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Timber, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Basel will aim to extend their formidable Europa League home record when they host an in-form Aston Villa side at St Jakob-Park on Thursday night.
The meeting marks the clubs’ first encounter since August 2001, when John Gregory’s Aston Villa claimed a 4-1 aggregate win in the Intertoto Cup final.
Aston Villa arrive in Switzerland in exceptional form. Unai Emery has overseen a dominant run over the past two months, guiding his team to 13 wins from their last 15 matches in all competitions (L2), scoring at least two goals in 10 of those outings.
Their most recent victory came last weekend against Premier League leaders Arsenal, where substitute Emiliano Buendia delivered a dramatic 95th-minute goal to secure a 2-1 win and extend Villa’s winning streak to seven matches.
The club’s early-season difficulties are now firmly behind them. Emery’s men are legitimate Premier League title contenders, sitting third in the table and just three points off top spot after 15 games. A favourable trip to West Ham United awaits on Sunday.
Before that, Villa must refocus on the Europa League, where they have made a strong start to the League Phase. They have collected 12 points from five matches (W4, L1) and sit joint first in the 36-team standings alongside Lyon and FC Midtjylland. A win on Thursday would place them in a commanding position to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Villa edged Young Boys 2-1 at Villa Park on matchday five, but their away form in Europe remains a concern. They have picked up just one win in their last six UEFA Cup/Europa League away fixtures (D1, L4) and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands in October.
Basel, back in the Europa League for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals six years ago, have endured an uneven campaign so far. Their League Phase results have alternated between wins and losses across five matches (W2, L3).
However, St Jakob-Park continues to be their fortress. Basel have won each of their last seven Europa League home games — the longest active streak in the competition — including this season’s victories over Stuttgart (2-0) and FCSB (3-1).
A 2-1 defeat away to Genk on matchday five dropped Ludovic Magnin’s side to 24th in the 36-team standings, currently holding the final playoff slot but only three points behind 10th place. Three fixtures remain: Aston Villa, Red Bull Salzburg, and Viktoria Plzen.
Basel approach Thursday’s match with renewed confidence following two consecutive domestic wins — a 3-1 Swiss Cup victory at Grand-Saconnex and a last-gasp 2-1 success against Winterthur in the league, sealed by a 93rd-minute strike from Keigo Tsunemoto.
Third in the Swiss Super League and seven points off the top, Basel enter this European clash as underdogs. Even so, they have registered five wins in their last 10 meetings with English clubs, positioning them as a dangerous opponent for Villa.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
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Basel are still assessing the availability of forward Kaio Eduardo. The 20-year-old recently completed a cross-competition suspension and has also been managing an undisclosed injury, leaving his involvement uncertain.
Captain Xherdan Shaqiri — formerly of Stoke City and Liverpool — continues to be Basel’s most influential player, registering a team-leading 11 goals and 10 assists across 25 appearances in all competitions this season. The 34-year-old opened the scoring in last weekend’s win over Winterthur and is expected to retain his place in the attacking unit on Thursday.
Benie Traore, formerly of Sheffield United, along with Philip Otele and Moritz Broschinski, will compete for starting roles alongside Shaqiri in the final third. In midfield, Andrej Bacanin is anticipated to replace Marin Soticek and join Metinho and Leo Leroy in the engine room.
On the Aston Villa side, Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley remain unavailable due to respective thigh and knee injuries, while Evann Guessand is doubtful after the knock that ruled him out of the victory against Arsenal.
Matty Cash netted the opener versus the Gunners, but he may be rested for this European fixture. Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof, and Andres Garcia are all candidates to start at right-back, with Garcia now fit to make his first appearance of the season following injury.
Should Lindelof not be deployed at right-back, he could slot in at centre-back in place of Ezri Konsa, partnering Pau Torres. On the left side of defence, Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen will continue their competition for the starting berth.
In attack, Donyell Malen is under consideration to replace Ollie Watkins, while Emiliano Buendia and Jadon Sancho are also pushing for inclusion in Unai Emery’s starting XI.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Basel possible starting lineup:
Hitz; Tsunemoto, Adjetey, Daniliuc, Schmid; Metinho, Bacanin; Shaqiri, Leroy, Otele; Broschinski
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; Buendia, Tielemans, Rogers; Malen
All eyes will be on Mohamed Salah when Liverpool welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Anfield for what should be an absorbing Premier League match filled with storylines on Saturday afternoon.
Both Liverpool and Brighton are trying to get back to winning form after dropping points last weekend, with Liverpool held by Leeds United and Brighton frustrated by West Ham.
The conversation around Liverpool continues to revolve around Salah and his uncertain future. There is growing speculation that he may have already played his last game for a club accused of treating him poorly, while his relationship with manager Arne Slot is said to be effectively nonexistent.
Opinions have been split over whether Salah should have been left out of Liverpool’s last three league games, including the 3-3 draw with Leeds. What most people agree on is that he has been far from his best. His numbers this season are the lowest he has produced for Liverpool, from shots per game to shots on target to touches in the opposition box.
His defensive work rate has also been questioned, ranking last among 45 wide forwards in the league for tracking back. Slot made a bold choice on Tuesday by leaving him out of the squad for the controversial 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan, a match in which Salah’s presence was not required.
Liverpool still have European work to do, but their Premier League title hopes look all but over. With only two wins in their last ten league games, they have slipped to tenth in the table, ten points off leaders Arsenal, although the gap to the top four is just three points. Their total of 23 points and 24 goals conceded from 15 matches represents the worst start by defending champions since Leicester in 2016. Defensive weaknesses have proved costly, with Liverpool conceding 48 league goals in 2025, close to their worst totals in any calendar year.
One positive for Liverpool is their solid home record against Brighton. They have lost only one of their eight Premier League meetings at Anfield, though that defeat came in 2021, the only other time they faced Brighton as reigning champions.
Brighton arrive still disappointed after failing to beat West Ham last weekend, a missed opportunity to break into the top four after Chelsea dropped points. They created almost nothing until the final minutes, when all of their shots on target were produced. Georginio Rutter eventually earned them a 1-1 draw with a late goal, but head coach Fabian Hurzeler admitted that his side did not deserve more.
The result leaves Brighton eighth, level with Liverpool and three points shy of fourth place. They now enter a demanding festive run having failed to win any of their last eight December league matches. Hurzeler has managed wins in every other month of the year except December.
Brighton can at least take heart from two straight clean sheets away from home. They have not kept three in a row on the road since 2020. They are also aiming to beat Liverpool in consecutive league games for the first time after their thrilling 3-2 win in May.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo (unspecified), Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Conor Bradley (suspended). Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Federico Chiesa (illness) and Wataru Endo (unspecified) are all doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Although Salah has directly contributed to 17 goals in his last 18 games against Brighton (10 goals, seven assists), it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the matchday squad for the final time before leaving for Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored an 88th-minute winning penalty against Inter, has arguably been Liverpool’s standout performer this season and he could continue on the right side of midfield if Salah is left out again.
Ex-Brighton man Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch will all be battling for starts in midfield, and Joe Gomez will likely continue at right-back in the absence of Bradley, while a recall for Florian Wirtz could see either Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak make way from the first XI.
As for Brighton, Stefanos Tzimas, Solly March, Adam Webster (all knee) and James Milner (muscle) all remain sidelined with injuries, the former of whom is facing months on the sidelines.
Kaoru Mitoma has been out since the end of September with an ankle problem and he will continue to be assessed along with fellow doubtful duo Yasin Ayari (muscle) and Tom Watson (unspecified).
Should Ayari pass a late fitness test, he will likely battle with Diego Gomez and Jack Hinshelwood for a start in centre-midfield alongside Carlos Baleba, while Rutter is expected to retain his starting spot behind striker Danny Welbeck after scoring his first PL goal of the season with his 19th shot last weekend.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Isak, Wirtz
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck
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