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Liverpool head to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday in the Premier League needing a result to strengthen their push for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification. The match at the Amex Stadium comes after Liverpool’s 4-1 aggregate win over Galatasaray in Europe, but their league form remains less convincing.
Brighton also enter the game with momentum. Fabian Hürzeler’s side have won three of their last four league matches and have built a balanced record of 10 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats from 30 Premier League games this season.
Liverpool need a league response before the international break
Liverpool’s midweek win over Galatasaray lifted morale and sent Arne Slot’s side into the Champions League quarterfinals, but their domestic campaign still carries more uncertainty. A defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers and a home draw with Tottenham Hotspur have slowed their progress in the race for a top-five finish.
Saturday offers Liverpool the chance to complete a third win over Brighton this season, yet their away record remains a concern. They have won only six of 15 Premier League matches on the road and carry a negative goal difference away from home.
The timing of the fixture also matters. Slot used a full-strength side against Galatasaray, and fatigue could become a factor against a Brighton team capable of pressing aggressively. Liverpool’s tendency to concede late goals has also raised questions about how well they can manage demanding stretches in games.
Brighton’s home form gives them belief
Brighton have lost only three of their 15 home league games this season, and their recent form has pushed them higher in the table. They also showed encouraging performance levels in defeat against Arsenal, which should give them confidence for Liverpool’s visit.
The Amex has not been an easy ground for Liverpool in recent seasons. The Reds have won only two of their last seven trips to Brighton, losing three times in that run, including one defeat last season.
Brighton have relatively few selection issues. Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas remain unavailable, but Kaoru Mitoma is back after the ankle injury that kept him out of last weekend’s narrow win at Sunderland. Lewis Dunk will need to avoid a booking, with a yellow card bringing a two-match suspension.
Salah absence reshapes Liverpool’s attack
Mohamed Salah will miss the trip after suffering an injury during the second half of Liverpool’s win over Galatasaray. Slot has confirmed that the Egypt international is out for Brighton and will also miss the international break.
That absence is likely to force a reshuffle in the front line. Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to fill in on the right, while Cody Gakpo could return on the left despite a difficult recent run of form.
Joe Gomez is also a doubt. Slot has indicated the defender may not be involved at all, and even if he travels he will not start. Alexander Isak, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain in recovery from longer-term fitness problems.
Predicted lineups
Brighton predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadıoğlu; Milner, Groß; Gómez, Rutter, Minteh; Welbeck.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Kick-off time and match details
- Location: Falmer, England
- Stadium: Amex Stadium
- Date: Saturday, March 21
- Kick-off time: 12:30 p.m. GMT
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: James Bell
Prediction
Liverpool have the stronger squad and arrive after an important European result, but their Premier League inconsistency makes them difficult to trust. Brighton’s home form, pressing intensity and Liverpool’s possible fatigue point toward a close contest.
Prediction: Brighton 1-1 Liverpool