Liverpool enter the international break after a 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.

After some poor defence allowed Simon Adingra to open the scoring, Mohamed Salah scored two quick goals before halftime to put Liverpool ahead. However, further sloppy defending allowed the Seagulls to equalize through Lewis Dunk.

While unhappy with the manner in which Brighton’s goals were scored, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the final result. “I think it’s clear in the second half we should have scored and made it 3-1,” he remarked. There were one or two really good chances, but because we didn’t score, we kept the game close. And in this region, where the free-kick occurs, we produced far too many set-pieces [for Brighton].

“I saw that back and if one of our boys touches it, it’s an own goal because it was that good a set-piece.” Then there’s Dunk, who can score from anywhere, so it was a stressful game for both teams. In the end, I believe that is the correct result.”

Klopp’s focus now shifts to hoping that the players who left for international duty arrive back at the AXA Training Centre in good health next week. However, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp already has a number of players on the sidelines ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield on Saturday, October 21…

INJURIES IN LIVERPOOL

Cody Gakpo could return after the international break after suffering an injury in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat.

The striker left North London in a knee brace after scoring for Liverpool in a game marred by VAR controversy. Klopp is optimistic that Gakpo will be back in action shortly after recuperating quickly.

“There’s a good chance, Cody,” the German said. He’s now out of the brace and walking normally, so out of all the very, very awful options and possibilities, I believe he nearly got the best but is still damaged.”

Thiago Alcantara’s absence has now lasted six months, with the midfielder not appearing since April. The Spaniard, who had hip surgery at the end of last season, is yet to return to training after a setback in his recuperation.

“It’s just annoying, especially for [Thiago] himself,” Klopp remarked. He experienced two setbacks in his recuperation, neither of which were major enough to keep him off the field. Obviously not the same injury, not at all, but something close.

“It’s as annoying for me as it is for Stefan Bajcetic, who was there, played a few minutes, then felt something else.” That is how it is after long-term injuries on occasion.

“I don’t know, and I won’t put any pressure on it [their returns] because I can’t.” We’ll see whether they come back after the internationals. Hopefully, it will be enjoyable.”

Bajcetic is currently out of training after suffering an injury after returning from a lengthy absence with an adductor ailment.

The 18-year-old earned his Europa League debut against LASK last month but has yet to build on that performance due to a new injury.

Meanwhile, Conor Bradley showed promise in his pre-season performances in Germany, playing 90 minutes in two games.

Following a minor, unidentified injury, he was left out of the group that traveled to Singapore and has not been in any matchday squads since the start of the season, though he has been involved in training since his teammates returned to England.

After proving himself in League One on loan with Bolton Wanderers last year, the Northern Irishman is anticipated to slide into Klopp’s plans as an understudy to Trent Alexander-Arnold once fit.

Before the trip to Brighton, Klopp provided an update on Bradley’s condition: “Conor is on his way back, he is running, but in that age group and with these kinds of injuries, you tend to give them three weeks more than not enough because it has to do with the growing process of the body and stuff like that.” Let me put it this way: I couldn’t get this injury any longer! That’s why he needs some space.”

SUSPENSIONS IN LIVERPOOL

Diogo Jota will return against Everton after serving a one-match suspension for receiving two yellow cards against Tottenham. Curtis Jones, on the other hand, will remain suspended.

Jones was sent off in the 26th minute of Spurs’ loss after lunging at Yves Bissouma. Initially, Simon Hooper issued a yellow card to the midfielder before VAR requested that the referee check the challenge on the pitch-side monitor.

Hooper brandished a red card in the direction of Jones after a quick review of slowed-down footage. Like Jota, the England Under-21 international was forced to sit out the match against Brighton. He will also miss the home games against Everton and Nottingham Forest.