Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool continue their FA Cup campaign this weekend, hosting Brighton in the fourth round at Anfield. The Reds progressed past Barnsley with ease to reach this stage, though their recent form has been mixed.
Disappointing defeats to Manchester City and Bournemouth have contrasted sharply with a 6-0 rout of Qarabag in Europe. Liverpool can also take confidence from their midweek trip to Wearside, where they became the first team to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this season.
Brighton, meanwhile, have struggled in recent weeks. Fabian Hurzeler is now under scrutiny, with Brighton having won just two of their last 15 matches in all competitions. Injury news offers a mixed picture for Brighton.
Yasin Ayari is nearing a return from a shoulder injury after missing the midweek clash against Aston Villa. Mats Wieffer is also pushing for a comeback, while Solly March, Adam Webster, and Stafanos Tzimas face extended spells on the sidelines.
Brighton boss Hurzeler confirmed that Jan Paul van Hecke will be available to start against Liverpool on Saturday, and Mats Wieffer could also return to the squad.
“There’s no new injury concerns,” the German said in his press conference on Thursday at St. George’s Park. “Mats Wieffer will be back, so that’s a positive one.
“But today it was calm, so maybe now we’ll always come after the game to St. George’s Park because no injury concerns is quite positive and we haven’t had it so much in this season.
“Mats is a big player who has a big impact on our game. He has a big personality as well. So we definitely missed him and we are all happy that he’s back now.
“Jan Paul should be okay to start again. Yasin Ayari is still missing. He is doing rehab, but he’s getting closer. We expect him to be back soon.”
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