Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Darwin Nunez has been dropped for Liverpool's game against Brighton because the Uruguayan picked up a knock on international duty.
The Reds return to Premier League action for the first time in just under a month as they take on the Seagulls, who have also not played since the first weekend of September. Liverpool were scheduled to take on Wolves but the game was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, before their trip to Chelsea was also called off because of policing concerns ahead of the funeral.
Ahead of the game against Brighton, Klopp has made three changes from the goalless draw with Everton as Thiago, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson replaces Nunez, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott in the starting XI. Fabio Carvalho has kept his place in the side, while Andy Robertson is still unavailable after picking up an injury before the break.
When explaining his team selection, Klopp said: Darwin (Nunez) and Diogo (Jota) came home with little things [from international duty], and the medical department asked me not to start them. That's how it works sometimes. They are probably able to come on, but we have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, Brighton made the one change for Roberto de Zerbi's first game in charge as Pervis Estupinan replaces Enock Mwepu. Former Liverpool man Adam Lallana and Tariq Lamptey make the bench, with the Seagulls looking to back up their emphatic 5-2 win over Leicester.
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There has also been some talk surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's form but Klopp named him in the starting XI despite the criticism. He failed to make an appearance for England over the international break, with Gareth Southgate freezing him from the squad to take on Germany last Monday night as the Three Lions played out a 3-3 draw.
Klopp gave a detailed response when asked about the situation. He said: "Do you really want to open this box? I mean it.
"You’re an English journalist, and we can now discuss selections, whatever, until the World Cup starts, it’s one of the reasons why you make massive stories of these kind of things, why the team cannot prepare properly. If you ask me for my honest opinion, it will create headlines, that’s clear.
Klopp added: "You want that? It helps Germany, maybe, I’m not sure, but it doesn’t help England. I don’t know why we do that. It’s a situation – a manager picks a player or not, which I would decide, obviously, differently but I’m not in charge of this team and that’s the way it is."
