Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Date: 03/02/2021
K/O: 20:15
Venue: Anfield
Referee: Kevin Friend
TV: BT Sport
Reigning champions Liverpool will look to step up another gear in the title race, as they host the Seagulls at Anfield on Wednesday evening with Klopp’s side looking for a third successive win in the league.
Last time out, The Reds put on a dazzling display against the Hammers at the London Stadium, winning 3-1. Two sensational finishes from Mohamed Salah, followed by a wonderfully worked goal by Gini Wijnaldum boosted The Reds into third place, after slipping down to 5th in the league.
Brighton were also victorious in their midweek fixture, beating Tottenham 1-0. The Seagulls produced a gritty performance, holding on for three vital points after Leandro Trossard gave his side the lead in the 17th minute. Brighton are now in 17th, eight points clear of relegation bound Fulham, so they’ll be desperate for a result at Anfield.
Liverpool look to be back to their best, following their winless run of five games. Their previous two games – 3-1 win against Spurs and a 3-1 win against West Ham – show a huge improvement and point in the direction that Klopp’s side are back in the title race. Despite their goal drought of over seven hours, The Reds have netted six goals in their last two games and could have scored plenty more. So, with Liverpool back in form, they’ll be keen to make up for lost ground on Manchester City, who have leapfrogged them into the top spot.
Brighton have also emerged from a bad run of form, stepping up their recent performances. The Seagulls are now unbeaten in their last three games: 1-0 Leeds, 0-0 Fulham and 1-0 Spurs – so Graham Potter’s side come into this fixture in good form. The Seagulls are good at staying in front and have kept clean sheets in each of their last three league games. They could keep four in a row for the first time since November, and for the first time ever in the top-flight.
Liverpool had a frantic deadline day, but ultimately one to remember, signing two centre backs in the space of 24 hours. It seems unlikely that either will play on Wednesday, but Klopp has certainly strengthened where needed. With that in mind, Liverpool have four clean sheets in their last ten games and overall, only five this season – which is the twelfth best in the league. This issue is down to The Reds unfortunate injury crisis in defence and that has forced Klopp into playing eleven different centre back pairings throughout the season.
Brighton will look to utilise this leaky Liverpool defence through the likes of Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay – who have nine goals and seven assists between them. Their performance against Tottenham showed exactly how they cannot be underestimated – slicing apart Spurs to score a wonderfully worked goal, before keeping a clean sheet and ultimately, dominating the game.
Liverpool’s ever-changing attack will prove difficult for most teams to defend against, but it seems they could be back to full strength on Wednesday at Anfield. However, in Liverpool’s last three home games they have scored just one goal and The Seagulls present an easy target for Liverpool attackers to put missed chances behind them.
Both sides are desperate for points, at both ends of the table, so it could be a tight clash at Anfield.
Team News
Liverpool have confirmed Joel Matip is out for the remainder of the season with ankle ligament damage, joining Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines. However, Ben Davies from Preston and Ozan Kabak on-loan from Schalke have been bought in to bolster the squad. Neither new signing is expected to start against Brighton, so Nat Phillips and Jordan Henderson will likely continue at centre-back.
There are still doubts of Sadio Mane’s fitness after he sat out the game against West Ham, but Roberto Firmino should come back into the side, after making an appearance off the bench. Mohamed Salah will start.
James Milner has a hamstring issue but if that isn’t too major, he should do alongside Thiago Alcantara. Gini Wijnaldum may be rested with Manchester City on the horizon, so Curtis Jones could start after he impressed against West Ham. Fabinho still remains a doubt and will be fighting to return in time for City at the weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Tariq Lamptey will miss the visit to Anfield with a hamstring injury as his run of nine games injured continues. Joël Veltman picked up a muscle injury against Spurs and had to be substituted late on, his fitness is in contention.
Elsewhere, Alireza Jahanbakhsh could make his return at the weekend, but Wednesday’s clash will come too soon. Alexis Mac Allister also picked up a knock against Spurs after completing the 90 minutes. His fitness will have to be assessed closer to the time. Danny Welbeck could feature at the weekend after a spell on the sideline, but the visit to Merseyside doesn’t look likely for the English attacker.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Phillips, Robertson; Wijnaldum; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones; Shaqiri; Salah, Firmino
Brighton & Hove Albion (3-5-2): Sanchez; Webster, Dunk, Burn; Alzate, White, Bissouma, Lallana, Solly March; Tau, Connolly
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-o Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have looked good at points this season and can be a tough side to break down. But with Liverpool looking back to their best, it seems a tough ask for them to get anything from Anfield. I think it could be a close first half, with Brighton defending for the majority, the second half could open up a bit, which would favour Liverpool’s rampant attack – so I think The Reds will make it three wins from three on Wednesday evening.
