Liverpool vs Brighton: Match Outlook
Liverpool will welcome Brighton to Anfield on Saturday evening for an FA Cup fourth-round match, pitting two Premier League teams against each other.
The visitors, known as the Seagulls, journey to Merseyside, seeking to bounce back from a two-goal league loss suffered at this very stadium just last December.
The Reds bounced back from a close defeat against Manchester City, securing a one-nil victory on their trip to Sunderland during the week, thanks to a second-half header from Virgil van Dijk that decided the contest.
This outcome bolstered Liverpool’s pursuit of a top-four position, placing them in sixth in the Premier League standings and bringing them very close to the Champions League qualification spots, with a dozen fixtures left.
Historically, Anfield has posed a significant challenge for Brighton. Liverpool has maintained an undefeated streak in their previous eleven home encounters with the Seagulls, registering eight victories and three stalemates, a remarkable sequence extending to 1983.
This encounter marks the seventh FA Cup clash between these two sides, with both teams having advanced on three prior occasions. Notwithstanding their formidable home performance in this particular matchup, Liverpool’s recent track record in the fourth round is less impressive; they have been knocked out in six of their last nine games at this point, including a defeat by Plymouth Argyle last season.
Brighton comes into this match following successive league losses to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, prolonging their Premier League drought to half a dozen games without a win. This recent slump has caused them to drop to fourteenth in the league standings, though they still maintain a safe distance from the relegation zone.
Liverpool vs Brighton: Squad Updates
Liverpool is grappling with various injury worries. Wataru Endo sustained an ankle issue during the Sunderland match and now joins Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni among the unavailable players.
Joe Gomez made his comeback to play earlier this week and might participate once more, whereas Dominik Szoboszlai is fit for selection following his suspension. Giorgi Mamardashvili, Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa, and Milos Kerkez are all vying for a spot in the starting eleven.
Mohamed Salah boasts a remarkable track record when facing Brighton, having tallied ten goals and eight assists across nineteen games versus them.
Brighton continues to be without Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March, and Yasin Ayari due to injuries; however, Mats Wieffer is once again eligible for selection after overcoming a toe ailment.
Fabian Hurzeler might make changes to his lineup, with Jason Steele, Maxim De Cuyper, Olivier Boscagli, Jack Hinshelwood, Yankuba Minteh, and Georginio Rutter being potential inclusions. Former Liverpool central player James Milner is also a contender for a midfield starting role.
Liverpool vs Brighton: Expected Starting Elevens
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Chiesa
Brighton & Hove Albion: Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Viewing Options for Liverpool vs Brighton: Television Channel, Online Broadcast
The match commences on Saturday at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). For viewers in the United Kingdom, direct broadcasting is available on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and through the Discovery Plus application.
Subscribing to TNT Sports is priced at £29.99 monthly via Discovery Plus, a service that also provides Eurosport content and various entertainment, accessible across numerous devices such as smart televisions and video game systems.
Liverpool vs Brighton: Key Statistics
- Liverpool remains undefeated in their past eleven encounters at home versus Brighton (8 wins, 3 draws).
- Both teams have advanced thrice from their six prior FA Cup fixtures against each other.
- Liverpool has exited the FA Cup in six of their recent nine fourth-round contests.
- Brighton has secured victory in seven of their last eight FA Cup away games.
- Brighton ousted Liverpool from the FA Cup in 2023, clinching a 2-1 triumph.