Reds favourites but Seagulls could be a threat – Liverpool vs. Brighton Preview

November 29, 2019
Henry Jackson

Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, looking for a rare ‘easy’ victory in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool vs. Brighton

Saturday, November 30, 2019 – 3pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Martin Atkinson

The Reds aren’t quite finding their top level at the moment, despite positive results being churned out on a regular basis.

Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League was a flat showing and they now have work to do to make it into the last 16.

It’s a return to league action this weekend, as Jurgen Klopp‘s side aim to add another three points to their unrivalled tally.

Liverpool have still only slipped up in one game this season and they are setting the most relentless pace in Premier League history.

Next up is the visit of Brighton—a side playing good football under new manager Graham Potter, with aspirations of a mid-table finish.

The Seagulls won’t be fancied by many, but they created problems for Man City at the Etihad back in August, despite eventually losing 4-0.

That being said, Liverpool remain the most formidable team in Europe on current form and anything other than victory would be a big shock.

The hope is that the Reds win convincingly for once, having not beaten anyone by more than one goal in the league since Newcastle on September 14.

Sooner or later, an opponent will be on the wrong end of a hiding—could Saturday be that day?

Team News

Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Fabinho is set to miss the rest of the year with ankle ligament damage.

Joel Matip is also still unavailable, but he is Klopp’s only other absentee.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to return at right-back, having been rested as Joe Gomez came in against Napoli.

Gomez will likely return to the substitutes’ bench, with Dejan Lovren‘s impressive form keeping him out of the team at centre-back.

Klopp has some thinking to do in midfield, with Fabinho‘s absence leaving a huge void following an imperious start to the season.

He is suspended for the game, regardless of injury.

It could be that Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum revert to a No. 6 role, but Adam Lallana is also an option, having been used there already this season.

Fabinho‘s injury may give Naby Keita a chance to shine—he desperately needs a good run in the team—but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is more likely to start.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all fit, but the former is still trying work his way back to full fitness.

Brighton have Lewis Dunk and Aaron Connolly back from suspension and injury respectively, but Solly March is a doubt.

Possible Brighton XI: Ryan, Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Propper, Stephens, Mooy, Connolly, Maupay

Last 5 at Home to Brighton (All Competitions)

Won 1-0 – August 2018 (Salah)
Won 4-0 – May 2018 (Salah, Lovren, Solanke, Robertson)
Won 6-1 – February 2012 (Skrtel, Bridcutt OG, Carroll, Gerrard, Dunk OG, Suarez; Lua Lua)
Drew 2-2 – January 1991 (Rush x2; Small, Byrne)
Won 4-0 – October 1985 (Dalglish, Walsh x3)

Did You Know?

Firmino is yet to score at Anfield this season – a statistic that is scarcely believable.

There is so much more to the 28-year-old’s game, of course, but his lack of ruthlessness in the final third has to be a slight worry.

Firmino’s overall tally of four goals for the campaign isn’t exactly earth-shattering, so it would be nice to see him find the net on Saturday.

In many ways goals are an added bonus, considering his world-class creativity, intelligence and selflessness, but he shouldn’t completely avoid the microscope.

Form

Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)

Drew 1-1 vs. Napoli
Won 2-1 vs. Crystal Palace
Won 3-1 vs. Man City
Won 2-1 vs. Genk
Won 2-1 vs. Aston Villa

Brighton – Last five results (all competitions)

Lost 2-0 vs. Leicester
Lost 3-1 vs. Man United
Won 2-0 vs. Norwich
Won 3-2 vs. Everton
Lost 2-1 vs. Aston Villa

Klopp’s View

Speaking at Melwood on Friday, Klopp praised Potter and how his Brighton side “play proper football“:

“We play Brighton with a very, very exciting development.

“When you see them playing now—how they play, the way they play, the possession they have; I think they are seventh or so for possession in the league.

“Against City they had 48 [percent] or so, they play proper football.

“They really have their own plan and I respect that a lot. Graham is doing a really good job there.”