Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield on Sunday, October 25, for a Premier League meeting between two sides with different challenges. Andoni Iraola‘s team sit fifth with 12 points from seven matches, while Fabian Hürzeler’s visitors occupy third place with 16 points. The Reds need another league victory to strengthen their position, but Brighton’s attacking form makes this a difficult assignment.
Liverpool recovered from a two-goal deficit to beat Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League on Tuesday. Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, while Ronald Araújo and Florian Wirtz completed the comeback. The result offered plenty of encouragement, although the performance also exposed defensive problems that Brighton could exploit.
The visitors arrive after beating Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League last weekend. However, Brighton drew 0-0 away to Jablonec in the Conference League on Thursday, ending their six-match winning run. Liverpool must therefore prepare for a side that can score freely but struggled to find a breakthrough in Europe.
The Reds have several selection concerns ahead of Sunday’s match. Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong face spells on the sidelines with hamstring and muscle injuries, while Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitiké also remain unavailable. Bradley Barcola missed Thursday’s training session, leaving his availability uncertain.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Brighton
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker; Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Miloš Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; Alexander Isak.
Alisson should retain his place in goal, with Araújo and Jacquet joining Van Dijk and Kerkez across the back four. Frimpong’s absence removes an attacking option at right-back, so Araújo could start after scoring against Villarreal.
Mac Allister should anchor the midfield alongside Gravenberch, who offers better defensive coverage than the younger Trey Nyoni. Wirtz can operate behind Isak, linking the midfield with the forwards and creating opportunities around Brighton’s penalty area.
Gakpo offers strength and experience on the left, while teenage winger Ngumoha deserves consideration after impressing against Villarreal. Barcola remains an alternative if he passes a late fitness check. Isak should lead the attack after scoring the winner at Brentford on October 17.
Can Liverpool contain Brighton’s attack?
Brighton have scored 23 goals in seven Premier League matches and conceded just five, giving them the strongest goal difference in the division. Liverpool, by comparison, have scored nine and conceded eight. Those figures highlight the defensive improvement Iraola needs from his side.
Liverpool should press aggressively, but the midfield must protect the centre-backs whenever Brighton bypass the first line. Mac Allister’s positioning will be crucial, while Gravenberch must recover possession quickly and help the full-backs deal with overlapping runners.
Wirtz could make the difference at the other end. His ability to receive between the lines should create space for Gakpo and Ngumoha, while Isak’s movement can pull defenders away from the centre. Liverpool need that attacking connection to work consistently rather than relying on another late comeback.
