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Andoni Iraola faces Ronald Araujo decision as $487M trio set to return

Andoni Iraola faces a decision on Ronald Araujo heading into this weekend's game with Brighton, while his $487M attacking trio are set to return to the starting XI at Anfield

Ronald Araujo has made an impressive start to his Liverpool career
Ronald Araujo has made an impressive start to his Liverpool career

Liverpool returns to Premier League action looking to build on a positive week for Andoni Iraola, though a high-flying Brighton will not make things easy at Anfield.

Fabian Hurzeler's side has so far collected more points than anyone aside from Manchester City and Arsenal, and beat the Gunners 3-0 around a month ago. Since then, it has beaten Sunderland and Crystal Palace by a combined scoreline of seven goals to nil.

Team-wise, Iraola has some big decisions to make. Alisson Becker will be in goal and Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk are set to be the center-back pairing, with Milos Kerkez returning at left-back.

Ronald Araujo was taken off at half-time against Villarreal, however, with Iraola explaining post-match that it was a tactical decision.

Though he scored against the La Liga side, Araujo was pulled out of position a few times, and Brighton is likely to be an even bigger test. Joe Gomez could be an alternative.

"I think in possession we’ve got much better positions from Trey (Nyoni) and Alexis to control it a little better," Iraola explained.

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is hoping to pick up three points against Brighton
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola is hoping to pick up three points against Brighton

"But without the ball, they were overloading us in the middle with three holding midfielders and [Alberto] Moleiro, who basically is another midfielder coming inside.

"Ronald was feeling uncomfortable following all the way. At the end, we thought that a player like Ryan Gravenberch could do both jobs.

"Defensively (he can) follow inside. I even think he’s good enough outside to sustain the one-v-ones, and also offensively could be a better help if you want for Rio (Ngumoha), attacking down the right side."

That could hint at a change in approach this Sunday, though Gomez is the only other option, really, aside from putting Gravenberch in there again. Jeremie Frimpong is injured and moving a midfielder back for a full game would be a gamble.

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In the center of the pitch, Alexis Mac Allister is a certainty against his former club, while Gravenberch would be the most obvious selection alongside him. Nyoni could be another option, though he is more likely to start against Chelsea a few days later in the Carabao Cup.

And in attack, the $487 million (£364 million) trio of Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are set to return to the starting XI.

Regardless of whether Victor Munoz is fit enough to feature, Ngumoha did enough midweek to suggest that he should be in the team again. He was the best player on the pitch on an electric breakout night. Cody Gakpo, who is fit again after a minor injury, is another option, though he might have to settle for a place on the bench.

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