The Football Faithful
·2 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·2 November 2024
Liverpool host Brighton this weekend as the Reds try to displace Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Arne Slot’s side will face Fabian Hurzeler and his players in consecutive games, after a Carabao Cup clash between the teams went the way of the Merseysiders on Wednesday night.
Last weekend’s draw at Arsenal saw Liverpool lose their place as Premier League leaders, with Manchester City moving above Slot’s side at the top. However, just one defeat in the Premier League this season has placed the Reds in early contention for the title.
Slot has confirmed the injured quartet of Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa will not return until after November’s international break.
Brighton have made a strong start of their own and have lost just once in nine Premier League games. The Seagulls sit sixth in the table and are eyeing European football.
Liverpool: WWWDW
Liverpool continued their superb start under Arne Slot with cup progress in midweek. Cody Gakpo’s double helped the Reds to a 3-2 win over Brighton at The AMEX Stadium, ahead of their reunion with the Seagulls this weekend.
One defeat in 15 games across all competitions has seen Slot seamlessly step into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes at Anfield, with Liverpool second in the Premier League, into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and sitting with maximum points after three Champions League games.
Last weekend, the Reds dropped points for just the second time in the Premier League. However, a spirited showing saw Liverpool twice come from behind to earn a point at title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates.
Brighton: LWWDL
Brighton have lost just once in the Premier League this season, a 4-2 defeat at Chelsea in September. Fabian Hurzeler has made an impressive start to his tenure after becoming the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history in the summer.
Key to Brighton’s form has been the performances of Danny Welbeck. Handed a new deal in the summer, Welbeck has responded with six goals in nine league appearances this season. He’s already matched his best-ever total in a Brighton shirt, while the forward has only ever scored more in a Premier League season twice – for Manchester United in 2011/12 and 2013/14 (9).
Brighton blew a two-goal lead late on to draw with Wolves last time out and their recent defensive record is a concern. The Seagulls have shipped 2+ goals in six of their last seven games.
It has been a mere three days since the two clubs last faced each other, as they battled it out for a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
After a quiet first period which remained goalless, Cody Gakpo got the away crowd roaring with a stunning goal just seconds after the restart. The Dutchman doubled Liverpool’s lead with another fiercely struck strike, before a flurry of goals in the final nine minutes.
Simon Adingra pulled one back for Brighton, only for Luis Diaz to restore the Reds’ two-goal cushion. Tariq Lamptey pulled another goal back for the home side in the 90th minute, though Liverpool held on to progress.
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Brighton: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Veltman, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Wieffer, Baleba, Rutter, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Tony Harrington will be the match official. He will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Adrian Holmes while Bobby Madley will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Chris Kavanagh and he will be assisted by Wade Smith.
Liverpool vs Brighton will not be broadcast live in the United Kingdom.
Kick-off at Anfield will be at 15:00 GMT on Saturday 2nd November 2024.
Liverpool – 1/3
Draw – 9/2
Brighton – 7/1