Liverpool 2-0 Union SG: Jurgen Klopp Makes Pre-Planned Changes Ahead of Brighton Trip

Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over Union SG in the Europa League on Thursday night, with manager Jurgen Klopp making a number of pre-planned changes to his starting lineup. With the Reds travelling to Brighton just three days later, Klopp was keen to ensure his side were well-rested and ready for the trip to East Sussex.

Alisson and Mohamed Salah were the only players to keep their places in the starting eleven, with Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold also coming into the side. The plan worked out for Klopp, as after a host of chances for Salah and Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch made it 1-0 before the break.

Salah, Nunez and Wataru Endo were all substituted at half-time, with Klopp confirming in his post-match press conference that “all three subs were planned”. This indicates that Endo will start in midfield against Brighton alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Klopp elaborated on his decisions in an interview with TNT Sports, admitting Liverpool “have to do it slightly differently” with Cody Gakpo and goalscorer Diogo Jota out for the weekend. “If we can do it, I think we should try it,” he said of his planned substitutions. “We have a really short time now, turnaround, for Brighton. Obviously last year we were awful there, so we have to do better.”

Gravenberch for Szoboszlai was the other alteration late on, though the Dutchman seemingly won’t be starting at the AMEX. Klopp will be hoping his pre-planned changes pay off, as Liverpool look to get back to winning ways against Brighton.