One of the most exciting games of the weekend sees in-form Brighton take on Liverpool at the Amex Stadium.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls have been in fantastic form of late, despite conceding four goals to Premier League table-toppers Arsenal on New Year’s Eve and they know victory would move them above their more famous rivals in the table.
Liverpool were comprehensively beaten by Brentford in their last Premier League outing and are missing a number of key players – notably Virgil van Dijk – through injury.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and can’t afford any more slip-ups in the race for Champions League qualification.
Brighton team news
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed on Friday that Leandro Trossard, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture earlier this season, will not be part of his squad to take on Liverpool over concerns about his attitude.
The Belgian is agitating for a move away from Brighton, despite their impressive form, and is understood to have been isolated from the group as a result.
Jakub Moder is out with a cruciate knee ligament injury but there’s few other concerns for Italian boss De Zerbi to worry about.
Brighton predicted lineup vs Liverpool
Brighton predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross, March, Mac Allister, Mitoma, Ferguson
Liverpool team news
The injury pain continues for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp may be without at least seven high-profile first team players.
Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur are all definitely unavailable, and there’s question marks over the fitness of Darwin Nunez and James Milner.
Andrew Robertson is also short of full match fitness and the Scot may continue to play understudy to Kostas Tsimikas despite Liverpool’s woes.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Brighton
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Brighton vs Liverpool score prediction
Liverpool may have won four of their past five Premier League games, but that run of results has masked a multitude of problems in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Easy to penetrate in midfield and riddled with injuries, the Reds have been below their best for some time and were lucky to earn an FA Cup third round replay with Wolves last time out.
Brighton scored four against Everton in their last Premier League outing before trouncing Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in the FA Cup – World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister returning to the side with a bang.
Don’t be surprised if Albion continue their charge at a raucous Amex.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Liverpool