Steele starts, Hinshelwood back: Brighton v Liverpool team news
How seriously is Fabian Hurzeler going to take the League Cup fourth round? There was little indication as the Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League history kept his cards to his chest when discussing Brighton against Liverpool team news.
What Hurzeler was willing to confirm will come as little surprise. Jason Steele starts in goal over Bart Verbruggen having delivered a hugely entertaining performance in the previous round’s 3-2 win over Wolves.
Hurzeler also said that Jack Hinshelwood will return to the squad after missing the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the weekend.
Tariq Lamptey might get more minutes after looking sharp in training and setting up Evan Ferguson for the Albion’s second goal on Saturday.
Ferguson came on for Danny Welbeck to score for the first time in 11 months. Dat Guy had been a doubt to face Wolves after injuring his back seven days earlier at Newcastle.
Hurzeler said Welbeck came through the Wolves game fine and is an option to play against Liverpool. Ferguson though would seem more likely to start, both to rest Day Guy and allow the Irish striker to try and build some momentum from ending that barren run without a goal.
There was also an update on Lewis Dunk. The Albion captain injured himself in the warm up before Wolves.
It is a small muscle issue which Hurzeler said Dunk might recover from before the next international break in mid-November. Yankubu Minteh is much closer to a return and may play some part against Liverpool.
Igor Julio took over from Dunk at late notice and Hurzeler was full of praise for the job done by the Brazilian defender in light of being thrown in at the deep end.
With Igor and Jan Paul van Hecke the only fit centre back options available, we can safely say they will both start when talking about Brighton against Liverpool team news.
To chuck an Under 21s defender like Ed Turns in facing opposition who Hurzeler described as one of the best teams in the world would be madness.
Hurzeler faces a difficult balancing act between resting regulars, getting minutes into fringe players and sending out an XI capable of winning the game.
Tony Bloom feels Brighton are a stage whereby they can now compete for trophies. As he should having sanctioned £193 million of new signings, making the Albion the biggest summer spenders in world football.
Players like Brajan Gruda and Julio Enciso will probably receive opportunities after barely featuring in the Premier League so far.
Mats Wieffer meanwhile could do with the chance to get that horrific mistake made when cocking up the 92nd minute four-on-one attack against Wolves out of his system.
A strong performance facing Liverpool would help Wieffer get his confidence back. It would also help calm those Brighton fans who think the Albion have signed another expensive dud from the Eredivisie.
Hurzeler said he had spoken to and given feedback to individuals after Brighton’s collapse on Saturday, adding: “It’s important you don’t let yourself be defined by failure, failure should teach you.”
We will see what lessons Brighton have learned – with the carrot of reaching the League Cup quarter finals for only the second time ever dangling in front of the Albion.
