Match Preview

The 2025/26 Premier League season serves up another fascinating clash at Anfield as Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 13 December 2025. With both clubs positioned in the top half and chasing European qualification, this is far more than just another game on the calendar.

Liverpool come into the fixture in an uneasy moment. Arne Slot’s side are hovering around the European spots with a league record of roughly 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 defeats, leaving them in the mid-table battle rather than in the title race many expected. A dramatic 3–3 draw away at Leeds followed a run that has included dropped points against Sunderland and a Carabao Cup exit, and defensive lapses late in games have become a recurring theme.

Brighton, meanwhile, continue to punch above their traditional weight. They arrive at Anfield with a record in the region of 6 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats, sitting slightly above or level with Liverpool in the table. A recent 1–1 draw at home to West Ham showed both their resilience and their frustration at not turning dominance into victories, but overall the Seagulls remain firmly in the race for European places.

Adding extra spice is the situation surrounding Mohamed Salah. After a run of games spent on the bench and some outspoken interviews, there is intense speculation that this could be one of his final Premier League appearances for Liverpool before the Africa Cup of Nations – and possibly before a summer move. That narrative, combined with Brighton’s reputation for upsetting the traditional elite, makes this one of the standout fixtures of Matchweek 16.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

The Liverpool vs Brighton game is part of the Premier League’s Matchweek 16 schedule on Saturday 13 December 2025. In the UK it is listed in the standard Saturday afternoon slot, while fans around the world can watch via local Premier League broadcast partners and licensed streaming platforms.

Supporters should check local TV listings and official competition or club channels to confirm whether the match is selected for live television in their territory and which platform is carrying the coverage.

Match Information

Premier League Table Snapshot (Before Kick-off)

The exact standings will continue to move as other fixtures are played, but ahead of this game the picture around Liverpool and Brighton looks roughly as follows:

Both clubs are firmly in the upper half of the table, with a cluster of teams separated by only a few points. A win at Anfield would give Liverpool breathing room and potentially launch them back towards the top four; a Brighton victory would be a major statement and could see them jump above their hosts.

Form Guide and Key Numbers

Head-to-Head History

In recent seasons, Liverpool vs Brighton has developed into a genuinely competitive fixture, often featuring plenty of goals and tactical intrigue. Brighton have taken notable results against Liverpool both at the Amex and at Anfield, including memorable away wins and high-scoring draws.

Recent Premier League Meetings

Across these recent match-ups, Liverpool have held a slight edge overall, but Brighton have shown repeatedly that they can unsettle the Reds’ back line and score freely, which adds intrigue to this latest meeting at Anfield.

Tactical Outlook

Liverpool: possession, pressing and defensive questions

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool aim to dominate the ball and press aggressively when they lose it. Expect to see:

• High defensive line with the centre-backs stationed close to midfield to compress the pitch.
• Inverted full-backs or narrow positioning to help overload central zones in possession.
• Rotating front three with forwards interchanging positions to drag Brighton’s back line out of shape.
• Intense counter-pressing, especially immediately after turnovers, to keep Brighton penned in.

The big concern for Liverpool is defensive concentration, particularly late in matches. Errors in individual duels, set-piece marking and transition defence have all contributed to goals conceded this season. Against a Brighton side that thrives on exploiting space, that will need to be tightened up.

Brighton: brave build-up and vertical attacks

Brighton continue to lean on a brave, possession-based style, even away at traditional giants like Liverpool. Their approach typically includes:

• Patient build-up from the back, inviting pressure to play through the first press and create overloads higher up.
• Fluid front line with wingers and attacking midfielders drifting inside to combine in tight spaces.
• Vertical passing into runners breaking beyond Liverpool’s high line whenever gaps appear.
• Wing-backs or overlapping full-backs providing width, forcing Liverpool’s wide players to track back and defend.

If Brighton can beat Liverpool’s press and access central spaces, they have the tools to cause serious problems. The risk, of course, is losing the ball in dangerous zones and allowing Liverpool’s attackers to counter into space around the Brighton back line.

Key Players to Watch

• Liverpool – Mohamed Salah: Even amid uncertainty over his future, Salah remains Liverpool’s most dangerous individual threat. His movement off the right flank and eye for goal could define the contest.
• Liverpool – Dominik Szoboszlai: A central creative presence with long-range shooting and set-piece quality, vital in breaking down Brighton’s block.
• Brighton – Creative midfield pivot: Brighton’s deep playmakers are crucial to beating the press and launching quick transitions into Liverpool’s half.
• Brighton – Wide forwards: Their pace and timing of runs behind Liverpool’s high line may be Brighton’s best route to goals at Anfield.

Match Outlook and Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Liverpool 2–2 Brighton

With both teams’ recent form and head-to-head history in mind, this fixture has all the ingredients for another open, entertaining game. Liverpool will have the backing of Anfield and enough individual quality to score more than once, but their defensive issues and the off-field noise around the squad leave them vulnerable.

Brighton are tactically brave, technically strong and used to taking on the league’s biggest clubs. They have enough attacking patterns and set-piece routines to trouble Liverpool repeatedly, especially if they can survive the home side’s early pressure.

A high-scoring draw feels like a realistic outcome: Liverpool 2–2 Brighton, with both sides creating chances and the result keeping them firmly in the congested race for European spots.

Important: This scoreline is only a football opinion for discussion and entertainment. It is not advice or encouragement to place bets. Any form of gambling is strictly for adults, must follow local laws and should always be approached carefully and responsibly.