Liverpool are embroiled in a battle for a place in the Premier League’s top four, but on Saturday night attention will turn to the FA Cup.
Brighton and Hove Albion will make the long journey to Anfield to play a fourth-round tie against the reigning Premier League champions.
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The FA Cup and the Champions League are the Reds’ only realistic hopes of a trophy this season, with the league title now almost definitely out of reach.
As such, the fourth-round tie is a highly important match for Arne Slot’s team, but it could also prove the perfect opportunity for Dutchman to give three of his stars the chance to shine.
Slot faces selection choice ahead of FA Cup clash
In Liverpool’s previous FA Cup tie, a 4-1 home win over Barnsley, the head coach opted to utilise a near full-strength team.
Rio Ngumoha was given his third start of the season in that game, and the Englishman could be in line for another start against Brighton on Saturday.
The cup game also represents the perfect opportunity for Slot to test a couple of the other players on the periphery of the first-team.
Trey Nyoni has started twice for Liverpool this term, and Kieran Morrison has started just once, but both could feature on Saturday.
Nyoni has been a common fixture on Slot’s bench this season, with Morrison an unused sub in two of the last four matches.
Ngumoha has stepped up to fill the gap left by Luis Diaz this season and, with a potential departure on the cards for Mohamed Salah this summer, a good performance from Morrison against Brighton could see the 19-year-old do the same on the other flank.
Ngumoha, Nyoni and Morrison are regarded as three of the brightest prospects in Liverpool’s academy and, with every league and Champions League game now vital, the FA Cup fourth round could be the last chance Slot gets to properly assess them in a game situation this season.
