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Preview: Liverpool host Brighton in key pre-Christmas test for Arne Slot

Preview: Liverpool host Brighton in key pre-Christmas test for Arne Slot

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A 3pm kick-off at Anfield against Brighton in mid-December shouldn’t feel like a make-or-break match for Liverpool. In normal circumstances, it likely wouldn’t be. Right now though, it is. 

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

Liverpool started the season in perfect form, picking up five wins from five. Since then, the Premier League champions have won just two of 10 in the English top-flight. The Reds trail leaders Arsenal by 10 points and find themselves behind the likes of Sunderland, Everton and Manchester United in the table. 

It’s safe to say things haven’t gone to plan for Arne Slot’s side. And then Mohamed Salah poured petrol on the bonfire last weekend after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United, claiming he’s been thrown under the bus by the club and someone wants him to leave.

As a consequence, he was dropped from the matchday squad for the Champions League game with Inter. Recent reports have claimed he will be back in the squad for the visit of the Seagulls, prior to heading off to Morocco to represent Egypt at the AFCON.

With Cody Gakpo injured, and with Salah ostracised, the Reds would have been down to the bare bones in attack. Slot was forced into using a 4-4-2 diamond against Inter and he might have to retain that shape against Brighton on Saturday.

Liverpool have struggled at Anfield this season, winning four from seven on home turf and ranking 12th in the home table. The Reds are then 16th in the form table with five points from their last five matches. 

Brighton are doing a little better with eight points during this period. The Seagulls have won just two on the road this term but have only lost three times. Fabian Hürzeler’s side have the third best attack in the Premier League, averaging 1.7 goals per 90, though they do rank seventh for xG and eighth for big chances created. Their season has been built on a fairly solid defence, giving up chances worth just 19.5 Expected Goals across their 15 matches. 

The Seagulls have been inconsistent, however, in terms of results. They won just two of their opening seven but have won four of the last eight and lost just twice during this period, 4-2 against Manchester United and 4-3 against Aston Villa. They’ve beaten Manchester City and Chelsea this season too, so they can threaten superior teams. But then they’d also drawn with Wolves and West Ham. 

You never know what you’re going to get from them.

Key Players 

For the visitors, it’ll be Danny Welbeck. The 35-year-old has even Premier League goals for the Seagulls this season, though he has blanked in his last three outings. He doesn’t have the best record against the Reds, with three goals from 26 outings, but one of those did arrive at Anfield in March 2024. 

For the hosts, the key player position is up for grabs with Salah missing. If Florian Wirtz returns to the starting XI, expect him to play a big part on Saturday. He’s yet to score or assist in the Premier League but he looked good against Inter on Wednesday and could carry that momentum into this game. 

Team News

Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Cody Gakpo and Stefan Bajčetić. Federico Chiesa could well return from illness and there’s still no decision, at the time of writing, over what might happen with Salah. 

Hürzeler is without Adam Webster and Solly March. Everyone else appears to be available for the trip to Merseyside.

Prediction 

We’re going to go with a narrow 2-1 win for Liverpool. The hosts are unbeaten in four and have a point to prove right now. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Liverpool host Brighton in key pre-Christmas test for Arne Slot

A 3pm kick-off at Anfield against Brighton in mid-December shouldn’t feel like a make-or-break match for Liverpool. In normal circumstances, it likely wouldn’t be. Right now though, it is. 

By Sam McGuire

The story so far

Liverpool started the season in perfect form, picking up five wins from five. Since then, the Premier League champions have won just two of 10 in the English top-flight. The Reds trail leaders Arsenal by 10 points and find themselves behind the likes of Sunderland, Everton and Manchester United in the table. 

It’s safe to say things haven’t gone to plan for Arne Slot’s side. And then Mohamed Salah poured petrol on the bonfire last weekend after the 3-3 draw with Leeds United, claiming he’s been thrown under the bus by the club and someone wants him to leave.

As a consequence, he was dropped from the matchday squad for the Champions League game with Inter. Recent reports have claimed he will be back in the squad for the visit of the Seagulls, prior to heading off to Morocco to represent Egypt at the AFCON.

With Cody Gakpo injured, and with Salah ostracised, the Reds would have been down to the bare bones in attack. Slot was forced into using a 4-4-2 diamond against Inter and he might have to retain that shape against Brighton on Saturday.

Liverpool have struggled at Anfield this season, winning four from seven on home turf and ranking 12th in the home table. The Reds are then 16th in the form table with five points from their last five matches. 

Brighton are doing a little better with eight points during this period. The Seagulls have won just two on the road this term but have only lost three times. Fabian Hürzeler’s side have the third best attack in the Premier League, averaging 1.7 goals per 90, though they do rank seventh for xG and eighth for big chances created. Their season has been built on a fairly solid defence, giving up chances worth just 19.5 Expected Goals across their 15 matches. 

The Seagulls have been inconsistent, however, in terms of results. They won just two of their opening seven but have won four of the last eight and lost just twice during this period, 4-2 against Manchester United and 4-3 against Aston Villa. They’ve beaten Manchester City and Chelsea this season too, so they can threaten superior teams. But then they’d also drawn with Wolves and West Ham. 

You never know what you’re going to get from them.

Key Players 

For the visitors, it’ll be Danny Welbeck. The 35-year-old has even Premier League goals for the Seagulls this season, though he has blanked in his last three outings. He doesn’t have the best record against the Reds, with three goals from 26 outings, but one of those did arrive at Anfield in March 2024. 

For the hosts, the key player position is up for grabs with Salah missing. If Florian Wirtz returns to the starting XI, expect him to play a big part on Saturday. He’s yet to score or assist in the Premier League but he looked good against Inter on Wednesday and could carry that momentum into this game. 

Team News

Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Cody Gakpo and Stefan Bajčetić. Federico Chiesa could well return from illness and there’s still no decision, at the time of writing, over what might happen with Salah. 

Hürzeler is without Adam Webster and Solly March. Everyone else appears to be available for the trip to Merseyside.

Prediction 

We’re going to go with a narrow 2-1 win for Liverpool. The hosts are unbeaten in four and have a point to prove right now. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.