Liverpool will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they face Chris Hughton’s Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be raring to go following a solid start to their campaign, which has seen them keep two clean sheets in back-to-back wins against West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Liverpool currently sit in second place in the Premier League table, behind champions Manchester City on goal difference.
Brighton however have reason to be optimistic ahead of their visit of Anfield. The south coast club saw off Manchester United at home with a 3-2 win.
However, Liverpool’s scintillating attack from last season has already shown signs that they can recreate last season’s form whilst the Reds are also the only side in the Premier League to have not conceded a goal so far this campaign.
The last time these two sides met was on the final day of the 2017/18 Premier League campaign, with the Reds running out 4-0 winners as they kept 72 per cent possession and made 728 passes compared to Brighton’s lowly 249.
‣ This fixture last season: LFC 4-0 Brighton (May 2018)
Team News
Jurgen Klopp has very little to worry about in terms of injuries, with a near-enough fully fit squad to choose from.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out for the entire season with a knee injury, whilst Dejan Lovren (pelvis) is the only other absentee in Klopp’s squad.
Joel Matip is back from injury and will challenge Joe Gomez for his centre-back spot alongside Virgil van Dijk, however Klopp is likely to keep the duo in place for Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue at full-back, whilst Allison completes the Reds’ defence.
There are questions in midfield, however, with Naby Keita starting the season strongly alongside James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum.
However new signing Fabinho, skipper Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are all in contention, and Klopp may consider easing them back into match fitness.
Liverpool’s front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino picks itself, but summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge will both be hoping to get some minutes.
Meanwhile for Brighton, manager Chris Hughton will be forced in to a change from their win against United with Lewis Dunk sidelined with an ankle problem. Tomer Hemed has left for a loan to QPR and is also no longer an option.
Leon Balogun will likely take Dunk’s place in defence, having impressed after replacing Dunk at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
New signings Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Yves Bissouma could feature for Brighton, although last week Hughton opted for Jurgen Locadia and Beram Kayal off the bench.
Past Three Meetings
‣ Liverpool 4-0 Brighton, Premier League, May 2018
Salah, Lovren, Solanke, Robertson
‣ Brighton 1-5 Liverpool, Premier League, Dec 2017
Murray – Can, Firmino (2), Coutinho, Dunk OG
‣ Liverpool 6-1 Brighton, FA Cup, Feb 2012
Skrtel, Bridcutt OG, Carroll, Gerrard, Dunk OG, Suarez – LuaLua
Television Coverage
Liverpool vs Brighton is live in the UK on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 5pm. BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport video player/app.
Betting Odds
Liverpool victory: 1/7
Draw: 7/1
Brighton victory: 16/1
Liverpool vs Brighton kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday. Follow LFCGlobe.co.uk for the latest updates and match-day coverage.
