In preparation for Monday night’s Premier League clash against Brighton, Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces significant decisions about his lineup, most notably regarding England international Trent Alexander-Arnold. The situation has become particularly delicate following recent developments that have rippled through the Liverpool fanbase and broader football community.
Alexander-Arnold’s relationship with the Liverpool faithful encountered a surprising turn during the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield. Following confirmation of his decision not to renew his contract—effectively signaling his departure on a free transfer this summer—sections of the home crowd expressed their disapproval when he entered the pitch as a second-half substitute.
This unexpected reaction places Slot in a challenging position as he contemplates his team selection for the remaining fixtures of the season. The Dutch manager, who replaced the legendary Jürgen Klopp, has attempted to defuse the situation by suggesting it’s time to “draw a line under” the controversy.
“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,” Slot explained upon returning from a brief holiday in Ibiza. “The whole country talked about it, and I think now it’s time to draw a line under that. Let’s focus now on the fact we’ve won the league and focus on that feeling and not be distracted that much by Trent’s situation.”
The right-back position presents a direct choice between Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, with the latter having started against Arsenal. Bradley has impressed when called upon this season, offering Slot a capable alternative should he decide to remove Alexander-Arnold from the potential scrutiny of away supporters.
Liverpool’s medical department currently has minimal concerns, with Joe Gomez representing the only significant absence as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery performed in February. This favorable injury situation provides Slot with ample options across all positions.
Since securing the Premier League title with five games remaining, Liverpool have experienced a slight dip in form. A 3-1 defeat at Chelsea was followed by relinquishing a two-goal advantage against Arsenal in their most recent outing. Despite these disappointments, the champions retain strong motivation to finish the season impressively. With two fixtures remaining, Liverpool can achieve a maximum of 89 points—just shy of the prestigious 90-point threshold. This target provides additional incentive for the squad to maintain focus despite having already secured the championship.
Mohamed Salah continues his extraordinary season, leading the Premier League scoring charts with 28 goals—five ahead of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Egyptian forward appears set to claim his fourth Golden Boot award, further cementing his legendary status at Anfield.
Slot has demonstrated willingness to rotate his squad since clinching the title, giving opportunities to squad players while maintaining a competitive edge. This approach may continue at the Amex Stadium, with players like Cody Gakpo potentially receiving starting opportunities.
The tactical setup is expected to remain consistent with the 4-2-3-1 formation that has served Liverpool so effectively this season. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch provide balance in central midfield, while captain Virgil van Dijk continues to marshal the defense alongside Ibrahima Konaté.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton enter the fixture in confident mood, undefeated in their last three Premier League matches. Their most recent outing resulted in an impressive 2-0 victory at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers, demonstrating their capability to perform away from home.
The Seagulls have established themselves as one of the Premier League’s most tactically interesting sides, combining technical quality with innovative coaching approaches. Their possession-based philosophy presents a stylistic challenge that will test Liverpool’s defensive organization and counter-pressing capabilities
The fixture carries particular significance given Brighton’s reputation for causing problems for top-six opposition. The south coast venue has witnessed several memorable performances against elite teams in recent seasons, establishing the Amex Stadium as a challenging environment for visiting sides.
For Liverpool, maintaining momentum heading into the summer represents an important psychological factor. Ending the campaign strongly would provide additional confidence for the squad as they prepare for their first full season under Slot’s management.
While Liverpool’s primary objective—securing the Premier league title—has been accomplished, the closing fixtures offer valuable opportunities for Slot to further evaluate his squad. Decisions made during these remaining matches may influence transfer strategies and squad planning for the 2025/26 campaign.
The Alexander-Arnold situation inevitably casts a shadow over current proceedings, but also accelerates the need for long-term succession planning at right-back. Bradley’s performances in the position will be closely scrutinized as Liverpool contemplate life without their homegrown star.
Liverpool supporters arrive at this juncture experiencing mixed emotions. The elation of securing another Premier League title contrasts with the disappointment surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure. How the fanbase processes these conflicting sentiments will become clearer during the remaining fixtures.
Away supporters traveling to Brighton will likely provide unwavering support regardless of personnel decisions, with the opportunity to celebrate with the team that delivered the championship serving as primary motivation.
The encounter at the Amex Stadium kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday, May 19, 2025. UK viewers can watch the match live on Sky Sports, with coverage expected to begin approximately one hour before kickoff.
Based on available information and recent selection patterns, Slot is likely to field the following starting eleven in the established 4-2-3-1 formation:
Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz
This selection would see Alexander-Arnold remain on the bench initially, with Bradley continuing at right-back following his start against Arsenal. The front four maintains significant attacking threat, with Luis Diaz operating as the central forward supported by Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Gakpo in the wide and supporting positions.
As Liverpool approach their penultimate fixture of this triumphant season, the challenge for Slot extends beyond securing three points. Managing the delicate Alexander-Arnold situation while maintaining squad harmony requires sophisticated man-management from the Dutch coach.
The remaining fixtures offer a unique opportunity to celebrate recent achievements while simultaneously beginning preparation for future challenges. How effectively Slot navigates this transitional period could establish important foundations for his long-term project at Anfield
For supporters and neutral observers alike, the Brighton encounter provides fascinating subplots beyond the simple mathematics of league position. The technical quality of both sides promises an entertaining spectacle, while the ongoing narratives surrounding key personalities add compelling human dimensions to the sporting contest.
As Monday evening approaches, all eyes will focus on the team sheet to see how Slot resolves his selection dilemmas—particularly regarding Alexander-Arnold. His decision will not only influence this specific match but potentially set the tone for how Liverpool conclude a season that has ultimately delivered the prize they coveted most.
Football analysts have noted that Slot’s handling of the Alexander-Arnold situation represents a significant early test of his leadership capabilities. Managing a high-profile player’s departure while maintaining squad harmony requires delicate balance—particularly when the player remains an influential figure in the dressing room.
The tactical battle against Brighton’s innovative approach under Hurzeler presents intellectual intrigue beyond the emotional narrative. Both managers favor possession-based systems with emphasis on positional play, suggesting a chess-like confrontation rather than a direct physical contest.
For Liverpool, securing victory would maintain their impressive away record and demonstrate resilience following recent disappointments. For Brighton, defeating the newly-crowned champions would represent another significant milestone in their continued development as a Premier League force.
As with all significant sporting occasions, the encounter at the Amex Stadium will likely be decided by moments of individual brilliance, collective organization, and perhaps a touch of fortune. Whatever unfolds, this late-season fixture promises to provide valuable insights into both clubs’ trajectories as they approach the summer period.
