Liverpool will aim to keep up their impressive Premier League form as they welcome Brighton to Anfield just three days after beating them in the Carabao Cup.
Arne Slot has enjoyed an impressive start to life as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement with just two blemishes on his report card in the league so far. A creditable 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend was Liverpool’s only dropped points other than a surprise 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest earlier in the campaign and they are right on Manchester City’s tail at the top of the table.
They secured an entertaining 3-2 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup last 16 in midweek as a number of their first-team stars were rested but Brighton, who have been quietly impressive under new boss Fabian Hurzeler to lie sixth in the table ahead of the weekend, certainly won’t roll over at Anfield.
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Liverpool vs Brighton – Premier League updates
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Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League at Anfield
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Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Nunez, Salah
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Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Igor, Veltman, Estupinan, Kadioglu, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck
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GOAL – Kadioglu belts in opener for first Brighton goal (0-1)
Liverpool FC 0 – 1 Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:04
Liverpool kick off, and we are back under way at Anfield!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:03
Substitution Ibrahima Konaté Joseph Dave Gomez
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:00
With Manchester City trailing against Bournemouth, following Arsenal’s defeat earlier today, perhaps a Liverpool defeat wouldn’t be entirely calamitous. Losses all round would maintain the status quo, but City are sure to bite back. It may prove to be a day for the Premier League underdogs, but 45 minutes is a long time in football.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:55
Fully deserving their half-time lead at Anfield, an energetic Brighton side are 1-0 up against listless Liverpool. It was a typically patient team move that created Kadioglu’s opening goal after 14 minutes, and the winger’s unerring finish gave the Seagulls an advantage to defend. Rather than dropping back, they set about that task by piling forward, and Kelleher had to make a crucial save from Rutter, in addition to Welbeck twice coming close. Nunez was denied by Verbruggen, but the hosts have hardly threatened since. The half-time xG stands at 0.78 to 0,71 in Brighton’s favour, suggesting they are good value for their lead.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:49
HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 0-1 BRIGHTON
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:49
In the first of two minutes added for stoppages, Welbeck takes a 20-yard free-kick. He strikes it cleanly, but too straight. Kelleher reaches out and takes the ball cleanly.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:46
Yellow Card Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:46
After Tsimikas curls in a corner from the right, Verbruggen leaps up to punch it partly clear of danger. Eventually, Brighton get the ball to safety, as they close in on securing a merited half-time lead.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:44
JUST WIDE! Although Estupinan appears to line up a free-kick from just over 20 yards out, Welbeck instead steps forward and whips it towards the target. He clips the outside edge of the side-netting, drawing gasps from the away fans!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:43
Brighton have taken five points from their last four away games against Liverpool – more than they managed in their first 11 visits to Anfield – and any ‘fear factor’ has long since gone. In fact, they look equally confident as their hosts today, and a second goal cannot be ruled out.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:40
At the end of a rapid counter-attack, Kadioglu meets a cross from the left flank and tries his luck with a first-time volley from the edge of the box. However, he leans back and sends the ball flying high over the crossbar. Brighton remain a major danger on the break.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:39
Before today’s games, only Arsenal (41 minutes, 48 seconds) had been behind for less time in Premier League matches this season than Liverpool (75m 28s). It’ll be interesting to see how – and if – they work their way back into this contest.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:36
Although Brighton lead, Opta’s live win predictor has their chances of victory at 36% to Liverpool’s 37%, suggesting a comeback could be on the cards. If the Reds are to claim maximum points, they may need to get themselves back on level terms before the break.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:34
Tsimikas whips over a corner-kick from the right, which is met first by Konate. The latter’s close-range header is blocked by a defender, then his follow-up is also charged down. This is better from Liverpool.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:32
From a free-kick out on the left, Alexander-Arnold swings in a wicked cross. Amid a sea of bodies seeking to reach it first, Rutter steers it behind for a Liverpool corner.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:30
SHARP SAVE! Kelleher keeps Liverpool’s deficit down to one! Rutter is sent away through the centre by Ayari’s long pass, holding off the challenge of Van Dijk. However, his shot is smothered by the hosts’ stand-in goalkeeper, who rushes out to the edge of the box!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:28
Played through by Alexander-Arnold inside Brighton’s box, Salah almost manages to prod the ball goalwards, but Verbruggen races out to position himself perfectly and shepherd the ball behind for a goal-kick.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:27
Konate rises highest in the six-yard box as Ayari sends in a dangerous cross from a set-piece, and his clearing header will hand Brighton a third consecutive corner-kick. The visitors are pushing hard to extend their advantage.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:25
Folllowing a clever free-kick routine, Welbeck’s shot is blocked behind for a corner by Tsimikas. However, Liverpool then clear their lines from Estupinan’s inswinging delivery.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:24
Liverpool have failed to win any of their last five matches when conceding first in the Premier League, since a victory over none other than Brighton back in March. This will be a big test of Slot’s new regime – how will the Reds react? So far, the Seagulls are standing firm.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:21
After Tsimikas is cleared to carry on, having passed all the medical checks, the action resumes at Anfield. Can Liverpool now find their rhythm and seek a quick equaliser?
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:20
It gets worse for Liverpool, as Tsimkas is totally flattened by his skipper and lays flat on the turf. Van Dijk caught his team-mate with a flying knee, so that must really hurt! The game is paused whil he receives treatment.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:16
Assist Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:16
Alexander-Arnold sparks a quick counter after cleanly tackling Mitoma, but it quickly fizzles out. Already, it’s a fairly open contest between two ball-playing teams, so surely goals will soon follow.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:15
Goal Ferdi Erenay Kadıoğlu
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:14
Nunez is just unable to leap high enough at the back post, after Salah sends over a searching cross from the right wing. Ultimately, the ball drifts out of play for a goal-kick, but that was another moment of concern for Brighton.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:13
SUPER SAVE! Nunez flips a clever ball over his marker’s head in the centre circle, then charges away upfield. When he reaches Brighton’s box, the big striker checks inside and unleashes a powerful shot towards the far corner, but Verbruggen makes an excellent save! That’s great stuff from both men!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:10
Not many teams come to Anfield and start off by having a 59% share of the ball, but Brighton have done that so far. Whatever the venue, the Seagulls stick to their style – and it often pays off.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:08
Ayari makes an excellent challenge to halt Mac Allister’s surge forward through the centre, as Liverpool seek to open up a first chance. As yet, the Reds have not been able to impose themselves in the final third.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:06
After an early spell of Brighton pressure, Liverpool try to play their way through the press, stroking the ball around deep inside their own half. The tactical battle between Slot and Hurzeler could be fascinating today.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:05
Wednesday’s loss was just Brighton’s third defeat in their last 10 matches against Liverpool, so they may expect to take points home today. It’s been a bright and confident start from the visitors so far.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:03
Brighton kick off, and we are under way in Liverpool!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:03
The players are out on the pitch at Anfield, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:03
Rutter is available again after being cup-tied in midweek, so he reprises his partnership with Welbeck in Brighton’s attack. Fabian Hurzeler makes eight changes in total. Lewis Dunk, Matt O’Riley, Yankuba Minteh and Joao Pedro all feature in a crowded treatment room.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:58
Only Gakpo keeps his place for Liverpool, as most of the hosts’ usual lineup returns following wholesale changes in midweek – Robertson makes way for Tsimikas, though. Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Alisson Becker are still out of action.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:53
SUBS: Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, Brajan Gruda, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra, Jakub Moder, Carlos Baleba, Mats Wieffer, Evan Ferguson.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:48
BRIGHTON (4-4-2): Bart Verbruggen; Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Igor Julio, Pervis Estupinan; Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Kaoru Mitoma; Georginio Rutter, Danny Welbeck.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:48
SUBS: Vítezslav Jaros, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Luis Diaz, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton, Conor Bradley.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:48
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Caoimhin Kelleher; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:43
Just as in their midweek EFL Cup clash with Liverpool, a second-half collapse proved costly for Brighton last week. In their most recent Premier League outing, Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson put the Seagulls on course for a comfortable victory over Wolves; however, the visitors fought back strongly, eventually making it 2-2 with a last-gasp leveller. Today’s match therefore promises more entertainment, as Brighton’s last seven fixtures have seen a total of 30 goals, at an average of more than four per game.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:43
Reconvening three days on from an eventful five-goal contest in the EFL Cup, Liverpool now meet Brighton again, with three Premier League points at stake. The Reds beat the Seagulls 3-2 in Wednesday’s last-16 tie, keeping them on course for a record-extending 11th League Cup trophy. Last weekend, Arne Slot’s side twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, leaving them trailing defending champions Manchester City by one point in the top-flight table.
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:43
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today’s Premier League clash between Liverpool and Brighton at Anfield!
Brighton team news
14:04 , Luke Baker
And here’s how the Seagulls will line up this afternoon.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Igor, Veltman, Estupinan, Kadioglu, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck
Liverpool team news
13:58 , Luke Baker
Here’s the Liverpool team to face Brighton this afternoon. After his injury worry, Andy Robertson is only fit enough for the bench, so Kostas Tsimikas starts at left-back, while Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are the preferred forward trio in the continued absence of Diogo Jota.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Nunez, Salah
Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
Read the full article here
