Liverpool travel to Brighton and Hove Albion for their next Premier League game and the Reds will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat against Brentford.
Liverpool are currently 7th in the league table and they will need to put together a winning run now if they want to stand any chance of securing Champions League qualification for the next season.
On the other hand, Brighton are coming into this game on the back of four wins from their last six league matches. The Seagulls picked up a 4-1 win over Everton in their last outing and they will fancy their chances of grinding out a positive result against Liverpool at home.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last three meetings against Brighton in the Premier League but they have managed to pick up just one win in that time. This will be a difficult outing for them and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can bounce back strongly and secure a morale-boosting win away from home.
Go behind the scenes at today’s training session as we prepare to take on Brighton 💪 #BHALIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 12, 2023
Team News and Tactics
Brighton
The home side will be without the services of Jakub Moder because of an injury.
Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard has been linked with a move away from the club and he could be left out of the side to face Liverpool this weekend.
Official statement by Leandro Trossard agent Josy Comhair after Belgian star excluded for next game by Roberto de Zerbi 🔵🇧🇪 #BHAFC
“The manager humiliated Leandro in the group — also he indicated that a transfer is the best solution” ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/iVhbjKp04j
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 13, 2023
Brighton are likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Robert Sanchez in goal. Joel Veltman and Pervis Estupinan are likely to line up as the full-backs with Lewis Dunk and Levi Colwill as the center-backs.
Moises Caicedo will partner Pascal Gross in the midfield pivot.
Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma are expected to be deployed as the wingers here with World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister deployed as the number ten behind Evan Ferguson.
Caicedo will be expected to break up the Liverpool play and recycle the possession here. On the other hand, Gross is expected to add drive and creativity in the midfield.
The home side could be without Leandro Trossard out here and it remains to be seen whether the likes of March and Mitoma can replace his goals in the side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson
Liverpool
The Reds have a number of injury problems ahead of this game and they will be without Arthur Melo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Virgil van Dijk. All four players are long-term absentees. Roberto Firmino is not fit enough to start either.
Darwin Nunez is a doubt for this game after picking up a minor injury.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to field his side in a 4-3-3 formation with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be deployed as the full-backs here. Joel Matip will partner with Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the defense.
The midfield three pretty much picks itself with captain Jordan Henderson starting alongside defensive midfielder Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara.
Fabinho is expected to anchor the Liverpool midfield and Henderson will be the box-to-box midfielder here. Thiago Alcantara will be expected to control the tempo of the game for the visitors.
January signing Cody Gakpo is expected to start as the striker here with Mohamed Salah starting on the right flank. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is likely to start as the left-sided winger.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Oxlade Chamberlain
Key Stats
- Liverpool have won 5 of their last 6 away matches against Brighton in all competitions.
- Brighton have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (Premier League).
- Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Brighton in all competitions.
- Brighton have picked up just 1 win from their last 6 meetings against Liverpool.
- Liverpool have conceded in five of their last 6 meetings against Brighton.
Player to watch
Moises Caicedo
The Brighton midfielder has been linked with a move away this month and he will be determined to showcase his qualities against a top side.
The Liverpool midfield has struggled to hit top form the season and the 21-year-old will fancy his chances against the likes of Fabinho and Henderson. Caicedo has the ability to dominate the midfield against Liverpool and Brighton will need him on top form if they are to dominate the Reds here.
Prediction
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
The Reds are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the league but they are severely lacking in confidence and form right now. This will be a difficult outing for them especially away from home.
Brighton have been a difficult side to beat this season and they will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Liverpool side. This is likely to be a close contest but the home side are likely to edge this one. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Brighton here.
