Liverpool’s ability to grind out wins despite producing unconvincing performances under Andoni Iraola will be tested to the max when they host Fabian Hürzeler’s surprise top-four occupants Brighton.
Match News and Current Form
Liverpool made it five wins from their last six matches (L1) with another come-from-behind victory in midweek European action, beating Villarreal 4-3 at home after overturning a deficit to defeat nine-man Brentford 2-1 last weekend. The Reds now return to Anfield surprisingly seeking their first home league victory of the campaign (D2, L1), and failing to do so would see them go winless in their opening four home matches of a league campaign for only the fourth time. This slow start is part of a wider streak of five without a win in the top flight at Anfield (D4, L1) - only twice in history have Liverpool posted a longer such run.
A 0-0 draw in the UEFA Conference League against Jablonec on Thursday may have halted Brighton’s incredible six-match winning run, but it shouldn't have dampened optimism. The Seagulls have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches in all competitions, and won each of their last four in the Premier League by an aggregate score of 15-0 to begin the round in third place following their best-ever points haul after seven Premier League rounds. Two of their last four league games were won by a 5-0 scoreline, and the Seagulls haven’t been shy to take their goalscoring exploits on the road either, netting 13 goals in their last four domestic away games and winning the last three.
Head-to-Head History
Brighton have won two of the last three league H2Hs (L1), but Liverpool have lost just one of the last 13 meetings at Anfield in all competitions (W9, D3).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Five of Liverpool’s last six games produced over 2.5 goals.
Seven of Liverpool’s last nine home matches saw both teams score.
Brighton have scored a pre-round league-high 11 first-half goals this season.
Only Manchester United have attempted more Premier League shots than Brighton (125) this season ahead of this round.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Alexander Isak has five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, and usually has an impact early having netted the match opener in six of his last eight domestic goalscoring appearances for Liverpool. Brighton’s Charalampos Kostoulas has scored and assisted in two of his last three league appearances, and he could become the first teenager since Michael Owen in 1998/99 to do so three times in a Premier League season.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, and Víctor Muñoz all missed Liverpool’s midweek assignment and are in doubt here, while Brighton seem to have contained their injury worries lately.
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Betting Analysis
The Seagulls ought to be relishing facing a suspect Reds defence, making Brighton to score first an interesting betting option.
Author: Peter Stavrinou