Liverpool vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The Mohamed Salah debacle will dominate the headlines once again as Liverpool head into yet another must win clash against Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – NBC
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Peacock
Liverpool preview: Respite for the Reds
In midweek, Liverpool earned themselves a deserved victory against Internazionale at San Siro in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League but it was a game in which the Reds had to snatch a winner via a late and controversial Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.
That came a few days after they conceded a very late Leeds United equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Elland Road, meaning that their win against Inter was just their second win in seven and just their fifth in their last 16 across all competitions.
Brighton preview: Frustrated Seagulls
Brighton and Hove Albion come into this one on the back of a couple of frustrating home results in recent weeks after they suffered a 4-3 loss, from 2-0 up, against Aston Villa before snatching a late point at home to struggling West Ham United.
Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have often been better on the road due to an overly deliberate and therefore fairly easily stifled style of football. They sit just a few points and places outside of the top four.
Liverpool team news: Salah debacle
Following his comments in his post-match interview after being an unused substitute against Leeds, Mohamed Salah may well have played his final game for Liverpool with Arne Slot not confirming that either way with the Egyptian made unselectable by the club for the game in midweek.
The Dutchman has said he will have a discussion with Salah as to whether he will be available for this weekend, while Alexander Isak is also a doubt due to a knock. Cody Gakpo is now a confirmed injury absentee with Conor Bradley missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-2-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch; Mac Allister, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Unavailable: Frimpong (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Endo (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured), Gakpo (Injured), Danns (Injured)
Questionable: Bradley (Suspended), Salah (Disciplinary), Isak (Injured)
Brighton team news: Mitoma is back
Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Japan international winger Kaoru Mitoma has returned to full fitness for this one and he has returned alongside both James Milner and Tommy Watson.
Solly March is closing in on a return before the end of this year but he remains sidelined here, while Stefanos Tzimas is now sidelined for the visitors due to an ACL injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Gomez; Welbeck
Unavailable: Webster (Injured), March (Injured), Tzimas (Injured)
Questionable: Ayari (Injured)
Liverpool vs Brighton prediction
With their home advantage, Liverpool will fancy themselves to get themselves on the front foot but the lack of cohesion and control, in both defence and attack, doesn’t mean that is something to bet on. They will give up chances to an often wasteful Brighton side and so the visitors can’t necessarily be backed either but both teams scoring would appear a good shout on Merseyside.
Liverpool vs Brighton tip: Both teams to score
