Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, with both teams looking to capitalise on their recent successes. Liverpool are looking a little healthier, having won both their games so far, beating West Ham 4-0 at home, and managed to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 away.
Brighton did not have quite as good a start to the season, having lost 2-0 to Watford. But they bounced back magnificently with a 3-2 victory over Manchester United last weekend. They will not have the home advantage this Sunday, something that was key to their successes last season, but Chris Hughton will be hoping his team can replicate their efforts on the trip north.
Liverpool remain a very strong side. Their front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah continuing to show the good form they displayed last season. Brighton will need to stay organised and resilient if they are to weather the storm of a buoyant Liverpool. Much of this new-found confidence is due to manager Jurgen Klopp’s attitude, which could not be more different to rival manager Jose Mourinho’s grim demeanour. Nevertheless, Brighton have some great young players who are eager to challenge themselves against top-class opposition.
Liverpool vs. Brighton Predictions
Brighton’s performance against Manchester United last week will be difficult to replicate and Liverpool are a much stronger team than their great rivals. Their form at Anfield last season was tremendous, as it was in their opening game against West Ham. It’ll take a good team to win at Anfield this season.
Liverpool vs. Brighton Betting Tips
- Liverpool to win 3-0: 25/4
- Sadio Mane to score 2 or more: 17/4
- Liverpool to win and keep a clean sheet: 10/13
Head to Head
- This will be the 28th meeting between the two sides in competitive action, with the home side winning the majority of the games (15), and just four wins for the visitors.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 22 Premier League matches at Anfield (W14 D8) and have kept a clean sheet in the last six. They last had seven consecutive home shutouts in the top flight in February 2007, keeping nine in total in that run.
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 44 Premier League goals since the start of last season, with 33 goals and 11 assists. That is 11 more than any other player in this period.
- James Milner’s successful penalty against Crystal Palace on Monday left him one goal away from reaching 50 in the Premier League. It also extended his record for the most Premier League fixtures scored in without losing, which now stands at 48 matches (W38 D10).
- Brighton manager Chris Hughton is aiming to avoid a Premier League defeat against Liverpool for the first time, at the sixth attempt. His side have been defeated while conceding at least four goals in his last five matches against the Reds.
Liverpool Team News
Joel Matip returned to the Liverpool squad in Monday night’s victory over Crystal Palace and could be in line for a start on Saturday afternoon.
Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Brighton Team News
Lewis Dunk is a major doubt for Brighton after limping off early in the first half against Manchester United last weekend. New signing Leon Balogun is expected to replace him.
Possible Brighton XI: Mat Ryan, Martin Montoya, Shane Duffy, Leon Balogun, Gaetan Bong, Anthony Knockaert, Dale Stephens, Davy Propper, Solly March, Pascal Gross, Glenn Murray
@dominictrant