Liverpool need to finish with a flourish this season and push for silverware as they welcome Brighton to Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup tonight.
Arne Slot has been under pressure for pretty much the entirety of the campaign but Liverpool remain in contention for a top four spot after a 1-0 win at Sunderland in midweek, as well as in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
They face a Brighton side in woeful form. Winless in six matches in the top-flight, the pressure is growing on Fabian Hurzeler after a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The Sporting News brings you our tips and predictions for this FA Cup clash.
Liverpool vs. Brighton Preview: Who Will Win?
We’re backing Liverpool to pick up where they left off at Sunderland and increase the pressure on Fabian Hurzeler with a win at Anfield.
Even at their best, Liverpool have still not yet been overly convincing but they are firm favourites for this one, especially with home advantage and the depth of their squad.
Brighton haven’t been blown away in recent weeks despite their major dip in form. A bit more space afforded to them could help them become more dangerous but they won’t have enough.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Brighton (15/2 with Bet365)
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Head-to-Head: Liverpool vs. BrightonThe most recent outing between these two sides came at Anfield in mid-December with Liverpool easing to a comfortable 2-0 win over Brighton.That was Liverpool’s fourth victory in five matches against the Seagulls, having managed just one win in their last eight clashes before that run.Overall, Liverpool and Brighton have clashed on 44 occasions with Liverpool winning 24 of those matches and Brighton coming out on top in eight games.Liverpool vs. Brighton: Form GuideLiverpool – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle United (Premier League)Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag (UEFA Champions League)AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool (Premier League)Brighton – Last 5 matches (All competitions)Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League)Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Crystal Palace (Premier League)Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 Everton (Premier League)Fulham 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League)Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 AFC Bournemouth (Premier League)Liverpool vs. Brighton Betting Tips
With Liverpool unlikely to make too many changes with a rare free midweek coming up, we’re backing big money Florian Wirtz to score or assist (1/1 with Virgin Bet). He drew a blank at the Stadium of Light despite an expected goals involvement (xGI) of 0.72. He is 8th for xGI among midfielders in the Premier League with 9.73.
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Liverpool vs. Brighton Team NewsLiverpool Team NewsLiverpool have a rare week without a game and so they will likely name a strong XI here with Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah expected to start.They do have a major issue at right-back as both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong remain unavailable, while Joe Gomez is also a doubt with Wataru Endo —who stood in for the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai — also suffering an injury at Sunderland.Szoboszlai returns for this one and so could come straight back into the XI if Slot goes strong — other injury absentees include Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak.Brighton Team NewsBrighton have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues but Hurzeler is hopeful on the fitness of Yasin Ayari, who is pushing his way back but this week probably comes too soon.Mats Wieffer has returned to full fitness.Hurzeler has been criticised for being a little too quick to change things in the final third, but Danny Welbeck is the most trustworthy centre forward and should get the nod here.As well as being without Ayari, Brighton are also still without both Adam Webster and Solly March, as well as Stefanos Tzimas.Liverpool vs. Brighton Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will lineup at Anfield on Saturday night, with Arne Slot naming a strong Liverpool XI featuring Mo Salah and Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool predicted lineup to play Brighton
Mamardashvili (GK) – Szoboszlai, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez – Mac Allister, Jones – Salah, Wirtz, Chiesa – Ekitike
Out: Leoni, Bradley, Frimpong, Endo, IsakDoubtful: N/ASuspension: N/ABrighton predicted lineup to play Liverpool
Steele (GK) – Veltman, Coppola, Boscagli, Kadioglu – Hinshelwood, Gross – Minteh, Gomez, Mitoma – Welbeck
Out: Webster, March, TzimasDoubtful: AyariSuspension: N/ALiverpool vs. Brighton OddsBet Builder Tips: Liverpool vs. Brighton
Our bet builder for Liverpool vs. Brighton backs the hosts to win, both teams to score, Florian Wirtz to score or assist in the game and Curtis Jones to have a shot on target, which came to overall best odds of 6/1 with Bet365 at the time of writing.
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