Brighton-Liverpool is a match valid for the 20th day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 4pm: stats, TV, line-ups, predictions
Jurgen Klopp a few years ago publicly spoke out against replays in the FA Cup, the replays of the match in case the first one ends in a draw. According to the German Liverpool coach, a ‘crazy’ choice in an increasingly clogged calendar. And we imagine he wasn’t jumping for joy last Saturday after the 2-2 draw at Anfield Road with Wolverhampton, which will force the Reds to play an extra game in the coming months.
But the former Borussia Dortmund coach is also concerned about yet another unsatisfactory performance from his team: the reaction that Klopp demanded after the league defeat at home to Brentford (3-1) did not come, indeed. Wolves took advantage of Liverpool’s difficulties in the non-possession phase – in the last seven official matches the goal has remained inviolate on only one occasion – and even came close to a victory that would have been sensational. The priority now is to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, trying to improve a league table that can in no way satisfy the demanding Reds fans. Liverpool after 17 games are sixth, now out of the title fight but also far from fourth place, which is seven lengths away.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, Salah and co.’s next opponent, have one point less, but given the Seagulls’ initial objectives we can instead speak of a positive balance.
De Zerbi
The Italian coach, despite initial difficulties, is making an impression, to the point that few regret the former Potter coach, who struggled with his Chelsea side. The only post-season defeat was against leading Arsenal (2-4), but on the road Brighton convincingly beat Southampton (1-3) and Everton (1-4). Another prolific success came last weekend in the FA Cup: they overwhelmed Middlesbrough 5-1, thanks in part to a brace from Mac Allister, freshly crowned world champion with Argentina.
The prediction
The first leg finished 3-3 and was the first outing for De Zerbi’s Brighton. The Seagulls – who have scored 14 goals in their last four matches – have been a spectacular side lately, and against a Liverpool side that has been conceding a lot this year, we could see another pyrotechnic match, with more than three goals in total and both teams scoring. It is not out of the question that Brighton will manage to avoid defeat.
Brighton-Liverpool’s likely line-up
- BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Estupinan; Caicedo, Gross; March, Mac Allister, Mitoma; Ferguson.
- LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konaté, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara; Salah, Darwin Nunez, Gakpo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
