Liverpool vs Brighton preview, predictions & confirmed XIs
Liverpool will be looking to stretch their Premier League unbeaten streak on Saturday when they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have only dropped two points this season from 39 available heading into matchday 14.
The Reds on top of that are on a 13-match winning streak at Anfield in the league and if they avoid defeat this weekend they’ll extend their undefeated home run to 47 matches.
As for Brighton, they are currently on a horrible run away from home, Graham Potter’s side have picked one point from their previous five away trips in the Premier League this season.
Read on for our Liverpool v Brighton preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Liverpool vs Brighton and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): N/A
Last five meetings: Liverpool vs Brighton
12 Jan 2019: Brighton 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
25 Aug 2018: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton (Premier League)
13 May 2018: Liverpool 4-0 Brighton (Premier League)
02 Dec 2017: Brighton 1-5 Liverpool (Premier League)
19 Feb 2012: Liverpool 6-1 Brighton (FA Cup)
Aggregate Score: Liverpool (WWWWW) 17-2 Brighton (LLLLL)
Ones to watch
Liverpool: Sadio Mane
With or without Mohamed Salah in Liverpool’s side, there’s no question as to who has been their most dangerous player this season. Sadio Mane is playing his best football and must be an early shout for this season’s most valuable player. He’s either scored or assisted in the Reds’ last four Premier League outings at home and that run is highly likely to continue this weekend against a defence that has faced more shots on target than every team in the division bar five.
Key stat: Sadio Mane has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances.
Brighton: Pascal Groß
There’s a chance Pascal Groß could start on the bench at Anfield but every time he’s been on the pitch for Brighton this season, the chances of something happening in their favour increases tenfold. He’s got that something about him that could give Virgil van Dijk and company pause for thought.
Key stat: Groß is responsible for over a quarter (27%) of Brighton’s ‘big chances’ created in the Premier League this season.
Team news
Liverpool
Fabinho was always set to miss this weekend’s game, even before sustaining an injury against Napoli. The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder picked up his fifth Premier League yellow card last time out as Liverpool ran out 2-1 winners at Crystal Palace.
Adam Lallana is in contention to fill in but Klopp has brought in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pushing Jordan Henderson a little deeper with Georginio Wijnaldum retaining his spot. Naby Keita, another option in midfield, has recovered from illness to sit on the bench.
Confirmed XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
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Brighton
Lewis Dunk is back from suspension and goes straight right back into Graham Potter’s side with Shane Duffy dropping out. Aaron Connolly returns from injury and reunites with Neal Maupay at the tip of Brighton’s attack.
Confirmed XI: Ryan; Montoya, Webster, Dunk, Burn; Gross, Pröpper, Stephens, Bissouma; Maupay, Connolly.
Squawka prediction
Liverpool are averaging nearly three goals per game at home in the Premier League this season. No one has prevented them from scoring twice and you can’t see Brighton, who have been poor away from home, becoming the first side. It may surprise some to hear Liverpool have failed to keep a single clean sheet at home in all competitions this season so far, but we expect that to change this weekend. Mostly because Brighton have failed to score in three of their last five Premier League games away from home.
Scoreline prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Brighton