The Reds return to Premer League action this lunchtime against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium, with the club coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Champions League.
Brighton have had a tough start to the season so far, with just 2 wins from 9 league games, with 3 draws and 4 losses under their belt. The Seagulls have been unlucky in my opinion, having played some great attacking football but struggling to make those last few stretches in a few games this season to nick a win or secure a lead.
Graham Potter’s side have also had a few VAR decisions go against them but as a whole have been given seven in their favour – a bit of a contradiction given their general performances this season but they pose a threat with or without the help of the video assistant referee.
Liverpool have a great record against Brighton – in their last 6 games against each other Jurgen Klopp’s side have won all of them, scoring 16 goals and only conceding three times. But, with tomorrow’s game coming off the back of a poor performance from the Reds, who will we have to look out for today?
Player to watch out for – Brighton, Solly March
The 26-year-old midfielder scored the club’s winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Aston Villa last weekend and will no doubt be in good spirits with his recent return to goalscoring form. March has been a solid performer for Brighton this season averaging a 7.17/10 WhoScored match rating and has always looked a strong outlet going forward for Potter’s side.
I think March will be a player that the Reds will have to keep a close eye on, with Leandro Trossard also possible to return to the side for Brighton, leaving both wings with some great attacking players who will give the Reds a big test at full-back with Andy Robertson likely to start as well as Neco Williams or James Milner at right-back who will have the job of dealing with March.
March averages 2.3 dribbles per game and is a big crosser of the ball, meaning the Reds will have to keep strong in the middle of defence, with strikers such as Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly proving tricky to keep hold of in the box.
Can Liverpool beat Brighton?
Yes
No
Player to watch out for – Liverpool, Sadio Mané
The Senegalese winger has had a strong start to the season despite some of the Reds’ poorer results – scoring 4 goals with 1 assist in 8 league appearances. Mané has failed to score for Liverpool in his past two appearances and will no doubt be gunning to get himself back on the scoresheet against Brighton today.
Mané has grown into one of the best players in the league in my opinion and has been invaluable to this Liverpool side for some years now – his directness and scoring ability has played a big part for the Reds alongside Mo Salah and the pair will be in high spirits ahead of the game this lunchtime.
Brighton will have to keep close tabs with Mané throughout the game, as I think the 28-year-old will be our biggest threat going forward today.
Score Prediction: Brighton 0-4 Liverpool
I think this will be a comfortable win for Liverpool – they tend to flex their muscles against Brighton having scored 16 goals against them over the past 6 occasions and I have no doubts it will be the same this time round. The club have suffered a few bad results this season and there are no excuses for that but Jurgen Klopp’s men tend to bounce back from freak results like this almost instantaneously and will be right up for the game this lunchtime.
I expect a big scoreline for this one so I’m going for a 4-0 win for the Reds, keeping a clean sheet with what will hopefully be a strong defensive performance against Brighton.
What do you think Liverpool fans, do you agree with my predictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…