Brighton & Hove Albion meet Liverpool at the AMEX Stadium in a tasty Premier League clash in the race for Europe.
Victory would see Brighton leapfrog Liverpool into seventh position, whilst Jurgen Klopp’s Reds can go sixth with a win.
Team News
Leandro Trossard could return for Brighton after he missed their dominant FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough last weekend, due to a calf injury.
Jakub Moder (knee) remains absent.
Liverpool could welcome James Milner (hamstring) and Roberto Firmino (calf) back into contention.
Darwin Nunez (knock) is a doubt but Virgil Van Dijk (hamstring), Arthur Melo (thigh), Luis Diaz (knee) and Diogo Jota (calf) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host Liverpool at AMEX Stadium at 3pm GMT on Saturday 14 January, albeit untelevised in UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings against Liverpool (W1, D3, L1).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five previous Premier League visits to Brighton (W4, D1).
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have scored at least twice in each of their last three meetings against Brighton, during which they managed seven goals in total.
- Three of Alexis Mac Allister’s seven goals for Brighton in all competitions this season have been scored at home.
- Liverpool have conceded in nine of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions (W6, D2, L4).
Prediction
Despite enduring a tricky home defeat against Arsenal in their last outing at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton have nevetheless been in good form as underlined by a ruthless attacking win at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last weekend.
Liverpool meanwhile scrapped their way to a 2-2 draw against Wolves in FA Cup with a solid attacking performance, yet sloppy defending and goalkeeping very nearly cost them albeit aided by a slice of late luck with VAR so further improvement is needed here.
Jurgen Klopp though will be happy to have this fixture now given Liverpool’s form away at Brighton but we shouldn’t forget Brighton’s improved attacking threat, which has already caught out clubs like Leicester and Chelsea this season so the Reds will need to be at their best here to get a result.
Goals therefore feel a likely bet but if Brighton can play with the same fearless quality like they did at Anfield in October mixed with the clinical touch saw at Boro last weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool’s defence prove their downfall unless they can find a solid footing.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
Result: Brighton 3-0 Liverpool
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