Liverpool v Brighton

All together now “clowns to the left of me jokers to the right”….

We haven’t played now since early September and that’s nearly three months ago according to Kwasi Kwarteng. So, what does the FA do? That’s right, they make us play two games on the same day against Brighton and Hove Albion. If you didn’t know it’s true you’d think someone had just made it up.

Anyway, some proper jokes now and new ones too that I picked up, this week, from the twittersphere. “Remember, no matter how bad things seem for you at the moment, at least you haven’t got to write Liz Truss’ speech for the Tory party conference” and another reminder “there’s only 17 more Prime Ministers to go ’til Christmas”.

Despite the long period of rest, which will have helped some players get back to fitness, we still have a few players not yet ready, including. Ox, Curtis Jones, Robbo, and Keita. They are all in rehab, with the final three not too far away. In addition, Caoimhín Kelleher and Calvin Ramsay will speed up their returns this weekend with Kelleher likely to turn out for the U21s.

We can definitely welcome back Konate though and Melo should also be in the frame now, after playing in a couple of games for the U21s during the break. There will be checks on Diaz, Jota and Nunez on their return from international duty, but hopefully, all will be fit and ready, though Jota is the main concern as he asked to come off early in the game against Spain, but we shall see.

I am not sure about Melo and his fitness. He seems to be drinking in the last chance saloon and whilst it’s good that he decided to do extra training during the break and turn out for the U23s you have to question how he came to be that out of shape in the first place. Still, looking forwards let’s hope he takes this chance with both hands and both he and Liverpool are the winners. Stranger things have happened and he’s obviously got the ability or he wouldn’t have (almost) played for the clubs that he has.

Team; Alisson, TAA, Matip, VVD, Tsimikas, Fab, Hendo, Thiago, Diaz, Nunez, Salah.

Must get in a special mention for Adam Lallana, who probably won’t be fit to start against Liverpool. Hopefully, he won’t be too upset that he won’t be able to sit in his favourite spot on the Liverpool bench this time and let’s hope it’s not some unfortunate youngster that’s stolen his place…. (I loved him as a player, really)

Finally, finally, I have been asked to remind you all not to forget your fooking forecasts but, I am not at liberty to say who it was that asked me to remind you….