Liverpool face Brighton for the second time in 4 days on Saturday, with victory key of their pursuit of Premier League title glory.
Liverpool vs. Brighton
Premier League (10) | Anfield
November 2, 2024 | 3pm (GMT)
The Reds gained 3-2 away to the Seagulls within the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night time, reserving their place within the quarter-finals of the competitors.
Consideration now turns to a Premier League assembly with Brighton this weekend, as Arne Slot‘s facet look to once more show their title credentials.
Right here’s all it’s essential know forward of the sport.
1. Second assembly in 4 days
It’s uncommon you face a crew twice in the identical week, however that’s what has occurred with Liverpool and Brighton.
Whereas progressing within the Carabao Cup was welcome for the Reds, it is a far greater match within the grand scheme of issues as second within the desk meets sixth.
With Man Metropolis once more setting the tempo within the league, even when they aren’t at their very best, dropping factors right here would actually harm Slot’s males.
Liverpool go into the sport because the overriding favourites, however that’s to not say that Brighton can’t pose an enormous menace.
2. Liverpool with out injured key males
Slot might have been capable of relaxation vital gamers from the beginning in midweek, however there are nonetheless key absentees forward of the weekend motion.
Alisson, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota are all sidelined till after this month’s worldwide break, appearing as an enormous setback.
Federico Chiesa can be out for the subsequent three video games, on the very least, as his Liverpool profession struggles to spring into life.
3. Brighton impressing underneath Hurzeler
Brighton employed Fabian Hurzeler from St. Pauli in the summertime, with the 31-year-old given the daunting job of changing Roberto De Zerbi.
The German has made a superb fist of it so far, guiding his Seagulls facet to sixth place within the Premier League, aided by a win at house to Man United in August.
It hasn’t essentially been good for Brighton, with a 2-2 draw at house to Wolves final Saturday disappointing, however they proceed to be a well-run membership.
Liverpool ought to underestimate them at their peril.
4. Probably Liverpool XI
A variety of Liverpool’s huge hitters will return to the beginning lineup this weekend, with Slot anticipated to area his strongest potential crew.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate ought to all begin, whereas Kostas Tsimikas is anticipated to be most popular to Andy Robertson.
In midfield, Slot will seemingly determine between Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones, with Alexis Mac Allister beginning towards his former membership.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
5. How will Brighton line-up?
Brighton additionally made eight modifications within the Carabao Cup sport, so a really totally different lineup is to be anticipated at Anfield.
Influential midfielder Carlos Baleba will return on the coronary heart of the crew, as might harmful winger Kaoru Mitoma, who was a menace from the substitutes’ bench in midweek.
Hurzeler is hopeful of getting Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu, Matt O’Riley and Joao Pedro as choices towards Liverpool, whereas Yankuba Minteh remains to be an damage doubt and James Milner is dominated out.
In the meantime, Georginio Rutter is accessible having been cup-tied within the week and will accomplice Danny Welbeck up entrance.
Predicted Brighton XI: Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Adingra, Baleba, Wieffer, Mitoma; Rutter, Welbeck
6. Slot exhibits assist for Quansah
Talking to the press on Friday, Slot caught up for Jarell Quansah following a tricky night on the Amex Stadium on Wednesday:
“I believe Jarell performed an excellent sport. The one situation he has in the mean time is that if he has a second that isn’t good, it instantly results in a aim.
“That’s what occurred on this sport. He was, for my part, unfortunate.
“I do know you can’t decide a participant on leaving these two moments out, as a result of they’re so important to outcomes, however he’s getting higher and higher, and he was already actually good.
“For him, it’s that final step perhaps to make, which he’s already proven prior to now he can play with out making these small errors.”
7. Brighton able to surprises at Anfield
Whereas Liverpool have largely loved loads of success at house to Brighton all through historical past, the south coast facet have sprung some shocks, too.
Leandro Trossard’s hat-trick helped the Seagulls draw 3-3 at Anfield again in October 2022, whereas the earlier season, they returned south with a 2-2 draw.
Steven Alzate scored the one aim in a behind-closed-doors conflict in 2020/21, so Liverpool have solely really gained one in all their final 4 league video games at house to Brighton – the 2-1 triumph final season.
That ought to act as a phrase of warning to Slot’s males, with complacency needing to be prevented on Saturday.
8. Did You Know?
Konate’s availability has been an enormous plus for Liverpool this season, following damage points prior to now.
If the 25-year-old begins on Sunday, he can have began 9 Premier League matches in a row for Liverpool for the primary time!
It’s crucial that Konate continues to point out this degree of availability, particularly with Quansah nonetheless a uncooked defender studying his commerce.
9. Harrington takes cost
Tony Harrington has been confirmed because the referee for Saturday’s match, it’s his second Reds outing of the season.
His first got here at house to Bournemouth again in September, when he confirmed 5 yellow playing cards in complete, together with one to Konate.
Harrington’s assistants are Scott Ledger and Adrian Holmes, whereas Bobby Madley is the fourth official in peril of feeling the wrath of Slot!
In the meantime, Chris Kavanagh is within the VAR sales space.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Brighton vs. Liverpool is a 3pm (GMT) Saturday kickoff, which means it’s a part of the tv blackout within the UK.
Due to this fact, the very best place to comply with the motion is This Is Anfield’s matchday reside weblog, with Harry McMullen within the sizzling seat from 2.15pm.
Come on you Reds!
