Liverpool will be pondering its selection for tonight's game against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, with big calls to make over key stars like amid a congested run of matches. But .
Much like , new boss Fabian Hurzeler has adapted seamlessly to life in the . His side currently sits sixth, and both managers will need to strike the balance between this cup clash and a repeat fixture in the league on Saturday.
But with the quarter-finals now just a game away, neither coach will be taking this first meeting lightly, amid an increasingly tangible shot at silverware. Taking place at the Amex, before the sides lock horns again at at the weekend, it is sure to be a fascinating encounter.
Neither manager has completely free choice when it comes to team selection. Injuries have already hit both camps this season — Liverpool, for instance, is set to be without , and , while is also yet to reach match fitness.
It's a similarly tricky picture in Hurzeler's camp. Brighton is set to be missing both Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, through calf and hamstring complaints respectively.
The defensive duo have at times formed the first-choice pairing for Brighton. Jan Paul van Hecke has latterly risen above Webster in the pecking order, but Dunk in particular will be a big miss.
Elsewhere on the pitch, there are other issues. James Milner will be denied a Liverpool reunion, with the midfielder potentially sidelined until after the next international break, while Solly March is a long-term absentee.
The match is expected to come too soon for Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley, each of whom are nursing slight problems. But there will be a late call made on Yankuba Minteh, who played under Slot last season at Feyenoord.
There were whispers in the summer that Slot might engineer a permanent reunion. Previously on loan from Newcastle, it was for the winger, but in the end it was Brighton that completed a move.
After a bright start, Minteh has been missing through injury in recent weeks, but might make it back in time to feature. Hurzeler also sounded positive about Jack Hinshelwood's chances of being involved in some capacity.
With so many injuries to navigate, the Brighton boss may not have a great deal of headspace to think about rotation. But as ever, the squad is packed full of exciting young talents, some of whom could be handed their opportunity against Liverpool.
Evan Ferguson finally ended his long drought against Wolves at the weekend, before a catastrophic collapse from 2-0 up with only minutes to play. He could get a chance from the start.
If the previous round is anything to go by, Hurzeler may also give Jason Steele an opportunity between the sticks. After a lengthy battle, Bart Verbruggen appears to have ousted him for the league fixtures.
Predicted Brighton line-up: Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Kadioglu; Adingra, Baleba, Wieffer, Mitoma; Enciso, Ferguson
Liverpool.com says: If there's one team where the "second string" is just as daunting as the first XI, it might just be Brighton. It seems to have an endless supply of ridiculously talented young players, and it's never long before a new one grabs the headlines.
Having said that, injuries have certainly started to take hold in Hurzeler's squad. Liverpool should be confident of getting the job done, perhaps managing to rest one or two of its own players in the process.
