Liverpool vs Brighton – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Reds last won this competition in 2022. Brighton have won just one of their last 13 league matches.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool have lost just twice in their last 18 matches in all competitions. After four straight league draws, they won 3-0 in Marseille in the Champions League. They lost 3-2 at Bournemouth in the last minute before smashing Qarabag 6-0.

The Reds looked at their best in a 4-1 win over Newcastle with seven big chances produced. A 2-1 home defeat to Man City saw a match full of controversial moments. In midweek, a Virgil Van Dijk goal sealed a 1-0 win at Sunderland as Liverpool produced a 23-11 shot count.

Liverpool Team News

Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are out injured, as are striker Alexander Isak and young defender Giovanni Leoni. Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended.

Joe Gomez could start at right back after Wataru Endo went off with a knock in midweek. Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa are two options if Arne Slot wants to freshen up his XI.

Liverpool Motivation

Liverpool want to win this match and build some momentum. A home FA Cup exit would be a disaster.

They will try to control the game, but also play on the front foot and look to win in 90 minutes.

Brighton Form

The Seagulls have struggled since December. A six-match winless run before Christmas was ended by a 2-0 win over Burnley to start 2026. A 1-1 draw at Man City was a fine result before going to Man Utd and winning 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup.

A five-match winless run has followed. They need an injury-time goal to rescue a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth. A late goal conceded saw a 2-1 defeat at Fulham. They again leaked very late to draw 1-1 at home to Everton. A 1-0 home loss to Crystal Palace drew major criticism. In midweek, they lost 1-0 away to Aston Villa.

Brighton Team News

Adam Webster is ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Three other players could also miss this match. Solly March has a knee injury, Yasin Ayari is nursing a shoulder problem and Stefanos Tzimas has had knee surgery.

Mats Wieffer should return from an ankle injury at right back. Coach Fabian Hurzeler is expected to recall Yankuba Minteh down the right wing. Maxim De Cuyper is also set to return.

Brighton Motivation

The Seagulls are having a tough run of league form. The FA Cup is a priority for the team as they look to win their first ever major trophy.

Hurzeler will look to attack in parts of the game. At other times, his side will have to sit back and absorb pressure.

Key Stats

• Liverpool have lost just 2 of their last 18 matches
• Liverpool have scored 2+ goals in their last 5 home matches vs Brighton
• Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike has scored 3 goals in his last 4 matches
• Brighton have won just 2 of their last 14 matches
• Brighton have conceded in their last 7 matches (1 goal leaked in each match)

Verdict

Liverpool should have too much for Brighton. I see them scoring two goals and keeping a clean sheet.

Best Bet: Liverpool win to zero at 3.00

Correct Score Tip: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton at 8.00

Goalscorer Tip: Hugo Ekitike to score anytime at 1.65