Liverpool vs Brighton preview, prediction, team news, and head-to-head

Mohamed Salah will dominate the headlines once again as Liverpool head into yet another must-win clash against Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.

The Reds must avoid defeat to ensure they retain hopes of climbing up the standings after a wretched run of results.

Liverpool earned a deserved victory against Inter at San Siro in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, snatching a late winner via a late and controversial penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai.

That came a few days after they conceded a very late Leeds United equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Elland Road, meaning that their win against Inter was just their second win in seven and just their fifth in their last 16 across all competitions.

Brighton head to Merseyside in eighth place, just three points shy of the top four after a poorly-timed two-match winless run (D1, L1).

Fabian Hürzeler’s men squandered a two-goal lead to lose to Aston Villa before needing a late goal to rescue a draw against strugglers West Ham.  They sit just a few points and places outside of the top four, and can always be dangerous on their day.

Brighton are chasing successive H2H league wins for the first time ever after beating Liverpool 3-2 at home in May. The Reds have lost just one of the last 11 meetings at Anfield (W7, D3).

Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa were absent in midweek for Liverpool, who will also be without Conor Bradley here due to suspension. There is still mystery around the availability of Salah for this game, with the expectation being that he will be left out once again.

Brighton may be missing Yasin Ayari and former Red James Milner.

Liverpool: Alisson (GK), Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak.

Brighton: Verbruggen (GK), Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Ferdi, Baleba, Ayari, Minteh, Rutter, Gomez, Welbeck.

With their home advantage, Liverpool will fancy themselves to get themselves on the front foot, but you can expect them to give up chances at the other end. We are backing a high-scoring draw.

• Hugo Ekitike to score anytime

• Over 2.5 goals