Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Sport | Football

Federico Chiesa comes into the side but Virgil van Dijk is handed a rare rest

Bench: Trent Alexander-Arnold is again among the substitutes

ES Composite

Oli Gent2 minutes ago

COMMENTS

Arne Slot has again named Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench for Liverpool’s penultimate Premier League match of the season at Brighton tonight.

The England right-back was replaced by deputy Conor Bradley for last weekend’s 2-2 home draw against Arsenal after confirmation of his impending summer exit on a free transfer, before being booed by sections of the Anfield crowd when he was introduced off the bench in the second half.

It remains to be seen if Alexander-Arnold - who is expected to join Real Madrid - will come on this evening, but Slot insisted on Friday that he was eager to draw a line under the saga.

"As you know, I wasn't here the last few days,” the Reds boss said after returning from a short break in Ibiza.

“Neither was Trent, so today is the first day we come back together.

It's the first day we train after a few days off, so it's quite early to say what the team and squad will look like for Monday.

"Last week, people talked about [Alexander-Arnold] to me and we had the reaction from the fans in the stadium, which was different; positive and negative.

Then all the pundits talked about it.

"The whole country talked about it, and I think now it's time to draw a line under that.

Federico Chiesa has been handed a rare start as Cody Gakpo also comes into the side, while Jarell Quansah partners Ibrahima Konate.

Virgil van Dijk drops to the bench and is given a rare rest.

Liverpool have had a slight dip since securing the championship with five games to spare, slipping to a 3-1 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw against Arsenal.

Liverpool now cannot eclipse 90 points this term but they will reach 89 should they win their remaining two matches this term.

Talisman Mohamed Salah is on course to win the Premier League Golden Boot award for a fourth time, with the Egyptian currently sat on 28 goals for the season, five clear of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak on 23.
For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.