Premier League 2019-20: Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion Preview, Predicted XI, Team News and more
Liverpool will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in the Premier League for matchweek 14, which will see the beginning of a gruelling December for the Reds. The home side go into this fixture having won 12 out of the 13 matches played in the Premier League thus far, while drawing one against Manchester United.
The Reds won against Crystal Palace in their last Premier League fixture, which ensured that Klopp's side remained unbeaten and on top of the league with a lead of 8 points.
Brighton, on the other hand, are 12th in the table with 15 points. They've had a mixed start to the season having won against teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Everton while losing to teams like Southampton and Aston Villa.
The visitors are 22 points behind the hosts and consistency has been a problem for them. In the Premier League, Brighton have lost their last two matches against Manchester United and Leicester City, whereas, the Reds have won their last two matches against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
Also, Liverpool drew their last Champions League game against Napoli and they will be looking to get back to winning ways.
Liverpool v Brighton Head to Head
Liverpool have won four consecutive Premier League matches against the visitors since Brighton gained promotion, that is from the 2017/2018 season of the Premier League.
The Reds have not lost at Anfield in the last 51 matches that they have played there in the Premier League. The only concern for the hosts will be keeping a clean sheet as they have managed to keep only two clean sheets in the 13 matches so far. Although Liverpool have not lost against Brighton in recent times, they've had to work hard for their goals, especially last season.
Liverpool form guide: D-W-W-W-W
Brighton form guide: L-W-W-L-L
Liverpool v Brighton team news
Liverpool are set to miss the services of Fabinho. The Brazilian is out for 4-6 weeks with an injury, and this is going to be a huge blow for the Anfield outfit.
Joel Matip is still a long-term absentee for Jurgen Klopp and his men. The manager indicated that the centre-back is expected to be out for some time and has no return date as of now.
Although nothing has been officially said, Virgil van Dijk might be given a rest for the upcoming weekend match as a precaution for the knock he took against Napoli in the Champions League game midweek.
Joe Gomez might be given a start alongside Dejan Lovren if the Netherlands international is indeed given a rest. Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to get back into the starting line up at the right-back spot after being rested midweek for the Champions League game.
Injuries: Joel Matip, Nathanial Clyne
Doubtful: Xherdan Shaqiri
Suspension: Fabinho
Liverpool v Brighton Predicted XI
Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Andy Robertson, Gini Wijnaldum, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlin, Naby Keita, Mohammad Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool v Brighton Prediction
Liverpool haven't lost a game this season in the Premier League and at Anfield, beating them becomes an even tougher task. This fixture on Saturday against Brighton is one which the Reds haven't lost in the last two seasons, so Brighton have their task cut out.
That said, Brighton can take advantage of Liverpool's high line of defence through their forwards who can run into spaces. That's the only way one can see the visitors hurting the European Champions on Saturday.
Prediction - Liverpool 3- 1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Also check out: EPL fixtures EPL table UCL schedule