Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion FA Cup preview, team news and prediction

View Image

Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday night in an all-Premier League fourth-round encounter as the eight-time winners look to make it nine this season.

The Seagulls will be eager to avenge their 2-0 Premier League defeat to the Reds at Anfield back in mid-December. Liverpool, meanwhile, bounced back from a narrow 2-1 home loss to Manchester City with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday, handing the Black Cats their first home defeat of the season at the Stadium of Light. Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header secured all three points for Arne Slot’s side, reigniting their Champions League ambitions. The Reds currently sit sixth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with 12 games remaining.

Liverpool will be pleased to return to Anfield, where they are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches against Brighton (eight wins, three draws) since a 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat in February 1983. The Reds have also claimed victory in four of their last five meetings with the Seagulls in all competitions (one loss).

Saturday’s fixture marks the seventh FA Cup meeting between Liverpool and Brighton, with both sides having progressed three times each: Liverpool in 1907-08, 1990-91, and 2011-12; Brighton in 1982-83, 1983-84, and 2022-23. However, Liverpool have a mixed recent record at this stage of the competition, having been knocked out in six of their last nine fourth-round ties—including last season’s exit to Plymouth Argyle. Since the Premier League era began in 1992-93, Liverpool have been eliminated at this stage 13 times—more than any other club, with Tottenham next on 11.

Brighton’s form has dipped in February, suffering consecutive 1-0 league defeats to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, the latter extending their winless Premier League run to six matches (three draws, three losses). The Seagulls have managed just one victory in their last 13 league games (six draws, six defeats), increasing pressure on head coach Fabian Hurzeler. Brighton now sit 14th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone and eight behind seventh-placed Brentford, who they face next on February 21.

A strong FA Cup campaign would provide a welcome boost for Brighton, who have won their last three fourth-round ties—all against Premier League opposition. Since their promotion in 2017, the Seagulls have reached the fifth round six times, a tally bettered only by Manchester City (eight) and Manchester United (seven) during that period.

While Brighton’s record at Anfield is far from impressive, they arrive on Merseyside having won seven of their last eight FA Cup away games (one loss), including a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in round three. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, no club has won more away matches in the competition than Brighton (seven, from the first round onwards).

The Seagulls also have fond memories of their last FA Cup clash with Liverpool, having triumphed 2-1 at the Amex Stadium in January 2023 thanks to goals from Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma. That result will give Fabian Hurzeler and his team reason to believe they can upset the odds again this weekend.

Liverpool’s Wataru Endo was stretchered off during the win at Sunderland after suffering an ankle injury and will now join Alexander Isak (leg), Jeremie Frimpong (thigh), Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni (both knee) on the sidelines. Joe Gomez made his return from injury in midweek, coming on for Endo at right-back, but it remains uncertain if he is fit enough to start this weekend. Arne Slot may also consider bringing Dominik Szoboszlai back into the lineup after he served a one-match suspension against Sunderland.

For Brighton, Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, and Solly March (all knee injuries), along with Yasin Ayari (shoulder), remain unavailable. However, Mats Wieffer has recovered from a toe injury and is set to return to the matchday squad.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler is expected to rotate his lineup, with Jason Steele, Maxim De Cuyper, Olivier Boscagli, Jack Hinshelwood, Harry Howell, Yankuba Minteh, and Georginio Rutter all in contention for starting roles. Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner, who matched Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record in midweek, could be handed a rare start in central midfield alongside Hinshelwood, Pascal Gross, Carlos Baleba, or 17-year-old Harry Howell.

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here .

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.