FC Liverpool – Brighton & Hove Albion
It’s a clash that has provided unexpected twists and turns in the past: Liverpool FC welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the venerable Anfield next Saturday. The Reds, currently second in the table with 64 points and a goal difference of +39, are in impressive form – unbeaten in their last five games. But even if Jürgen Klopp’s attacking forces have been convincing of late, Liverpool will have to produce a top performance at home to avoid dropping valuable points in the race for the top spot.
Brighton, on the other hand, currently in eighth place with 42 points and a goal difference of +6, have had an inconsistent run of results. After an unexpected slip-up in the match against Fulham, the Seagulls cannot afford to make any mistakes if they want to hold their own against the in-form hosts. After all, they picked up another three-pointer against Nottigham on the last matchday. Fans can look forward to seeing how coach De Zerbi adjusts his team after the international break and whether he can counter the passionate atmosphere at Anfield with a tactically astute performance.
The signs are therefore pointing to an exciting clash in which both teams will have to prove their squad depth after difficult injuries over the international break. Liverpool in particular will need to get their concentration back on the pitch after concerns over Andy Robertson’s fitness and the recent headlines about possible new signings. All set for a Premier League weekend that should once again leave nothing to be desired
Liverpool – Brighton info
- Date & Time: 31.03.2024, 15:00 hrs.
- Venue: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 30
- TV broadcast/livestream: Sky
Liverpool Form & Balance Check
Following an impressive run, Liverpool FC are in sparkling form, making them a serious challenge for any Premier League opponent. However, they recently suffered a setback in the FA Cup against Manchester United, where they lost 4-3 after extra time, showing that the defense can be vulnerable under extreme pressure. However, this defeat seems to be more of a blip considering their overwhelming dominance in the Europa League against Sparta Prague (6-1) and a successful revenge against Manchester City in the league, where they fought out a respectable 1-1 draw.
Salah & Nunez deliver
The attacking line, led by Mohamed Salah and supported by Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota, proved accurate – a fact confirmed by the consistent goalscoring rate of these three strikers. The Reds’ winning run in recent weeks is also reflected in the league table, where they sit in second place with 64 points and boast a remarkable goal difference of 39.
Liverpool are therefore in a strong position ahead of the upcoming game against Brighton, although they must be wary of overconfidence and focus on the mental aspect of recovering from the FA Cup defeat. With a focus on their robust offense and adjusting their defensive play to correct the weaknesses exposed in the FA Cup, there is a good chance Liverpool FC will also overpower Brighton and cement their place at the top of the table.
Liverpool facts & analysis
- 2nd place Premier League
- second best offense
- last game drawn
Brighton Form & Balance Check
The Brighton & Hove Albion side have been a team of contrasts in recent games. After a triumphant 5-0 away win against Sheffield United, an unexpected 4-0 defeat against bottom side Luton caused consternation. However, this defeat could be seen as a blip as Brighton bounced back in the following fixtures with an impressive 4-1 win over Crystal Palace and a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Their recent 1-0 home win over AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League is testament to the team’s ability to compete at a high European level, yet they were knocked out of the competition after a 4-0 first leg defeat.
Does De Zarbi stay?
Brighton’s form in domestic competition is promising despite a few setbacks. With 42 points and an eighth place finish in the Premier League, Brighton are showing that they are capable of consistently competing against teams in the top third of the table. Analysis of their last ten games shows that they are less likely to win during the second half, suggesting that improvements in fitness and tactics are needed after the break to consolidate their position and further improve their existing goal difference of +6.
Driven by key players such as Danny Welbeck, whose decisive goal against AS Roma once again proves his importance to the team, and aided by tactical changes such as the substitution of Ansu Fati, Brighton have shown themselves to be adaptable and assertive in recent games. The critical encounter against Liverpool at Anfield will be a real test of their ability to translate their tactics into match-winning performances and prove they can maintain their form – even against the league’s top sides.
Brighton facts & analysis
- Surprise team of the season
- 8th place in the Premier League
- Eliminated from the Europa League
In the upcoming Premier League clash between Liverpool and Brighton, manager Jürgen Klopp’s squad is likely to line up without any major surprises. Key figures Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez are expected to lead the attacking trio as right winger and central striker respectively. Should they be absent for any reason, Cody Gakpo would be a high-quality replacement. In defence, the presence of Virgil van Dijk and possibly Joe Gomez can be counted on to stabilize the defensive center.
In the upcoming game against Liverpool, Roberto De Zerbi is likely to field a similar line-up to the one he used in the last game against AS Roma. Brighton are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 system, with key figures Pascal Groß, due to his precision passing and shooting, and Danny Welbeck, who has scored recently, likely to play an important role. Ansu Fati could get more minutes after coming on as a substitute in the last game, adding more attacking power to the wing position
Liverpool – Brighton head-to-head & stats
The two teams have only faced each other 21 times. Liverpool clearly have the better record with eleven wins compared to three for Brighton. Seven other meetings have ended in a draw.
Looking at the most recent encounters between Liverpool and Brighton, it is clear that the duels between the teams have been surprisingly even. In the last five meetings, there have been two wins for Brighton, one win for Liverpool and two draws, with the last match ending in a 2-2 draw in October last year. Despite Liverpool’s strong run in the Premier League, with four wins from their last five games and a draw that has propelled them into second place, it looks like they will be up against a Brighton side that should not be underestimated either.
Exceeding the 1.5-goal mark in games for both teams represents a remarkable consistency, with a recorded run of five such occurrences illustrating the attacking prowess of both clubs.
Liverpool go into this game with the confidence of a strong home record and the support of their loyal fans, while Brighton go in knowing that they have enjoyed recent success against the Reds. An exciting Premier League game is certainly expected with both sides eager to continue their existing streaks: Liverpool to consolidate their position at the top, and Brighton to cement their status as a competitive side.
Direct comparison (H2H)
