As the Premier League season approaches its end, the last couple of games will be crucial for some of the rotation players ahead of a reported major squad overhaul.
These are some players to watch when Liverpool plays Brighton as their starting positions for the 2025-26 season are uncertain.
Curtis Jones
The English international has mostly featured off the bench this season, having recorded 3 goals and 3 assists throughout the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
Despite what may seem like lackluster goal contributions, what Curtis brings to the table comes down to pressing, recovery, and ball retention.
According to SofaScore, Jones attempts around 57 passes per match, achieving a 93.7% pass accuracy every 90 minutes.
Alongside this, the midfielder records 2.9 ball recoveries and 1.2 tackles per game while only being dribbled past once every three matches.
With the Englishman being in the 99th percentile of midfielders when it comes to pass completion, according to FBRef, his pinpoint accuracy will be needed against a Brighton team that usually produces high amounts of interceptions.
Dominik Szoboszlai
As recent news about Liverpool’s interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has begun to circulate, Szoboszlai’s starting role for the club has come into question.
Whether the transfer happens or not, the midfielder needs to take advantage of the last few matches to show that spark that has been missing for a while now.
The Hungarian hasn’t been bad by any means, having accumulated 7 goals and 6 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions, as well as an 83.8% pass completion per 90, according to FBRef.
The issue lies in attacking play, averaging only 4.78 progressive passes and 2.45 progressive carries every game.
Having been recognized as a commanding attacking midfielder who opens up the game and creates opportunities for his previous teams, it’s only fair to say that his time in England, although not bad, has been slightly underwhelming.
Conor Bradley
Similar to Szoboszlai, but with a higher likelihood, Conor Bradley will have to fight to earn a starting position for the Reds next season.
As Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong seems set to join the club, according to multiple sources, Bradley must show Arne Slot why he should be first choice in these last two games alongside the preseason tour.
For only being 21 years-old, the Northern Irishman has proven himself to be a reliable player in both passing and defensive areas.
Across his 17 appearances in the Premier League this campaign, the right-back has amassed 340 accurate passes and 84.2% passing accuracy per 90 as shown in SofaScore.
On the defensive side of things, Bradley holds 2.5 ball recoveries per game, as well as 1.2 clearances.
One of the most important things the defender has going for him is the fact that he only gets dribbled past once every other game, something crucial when going up against the likes of Yankuba Minteh and Simon Adingra.
In conclusion, what viewers will be looking forward to the most during the last two matches of the season comes down to how players will defend their starting roles ahead of what looks to be a massive summer of transfer activity.