Brighton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

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The Football Faithful

·19 mai 2025

Brighton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

Premier League winners Liverpool travel to Brighton for their final away match of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Seagulls can climb into eighth place with a point, which will give them a faint hope of qualifying for Europe next season. Their opponents have nothing to play for except pride, having been confirmed as champions weeks ago.

Vidéos OneFootball

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is operating with a fully fit squad aside from Joe Gomez, who hasn’t appeared since February due to a hamstring injury.

🔴 MATCHDAY 🔴 The champions travel to the south coast for our final away fixture of the season ✊ #WalkOn | #BHALIV
– lundi 19 mai 2025

On Saturday, right-back Conor Bradley penned a new deal with the club, extending his stay at Anfield until 2029.

The Northern Irishman will potentially be competing with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong for a spot in the starting eleven next season. Frimpong’s arrival on Merseyside is imminent, with the Dutchman seen as Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold’s successor.

Fabian Hurzeler’s pre-match press conference was positive, with the 32-year-old providing some encouraging team news for Brighton.

Experienced defenders Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman are back at their manager’s disposal, while Kaoru Mitoma will be assessed.

Hurzeler has been handed a further boost by the availability of João Pedro after the Brazilian served his three-match suspension.

Meanwhile, James Milner and Georginio Rutter are nearing a return to full fitness. However, with the season concluding on Sunday, the pair might not feature again this term.

Brighton vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

Form

Brighton: DLWDW

There is a glimmer of hope for Brighton regarding their chances of qualifying for Europe next season.

The Seagulls need to end the season in eighth and hope that Chelsea win the Europa Conference League while finishing in seventh position.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side have found some consistency in recent weeks – something they have struggled with all campaign.

A dramatic last-minute 3-2 win over West Ham preceded a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United. Last weekend, they eased to a 2-0 away victory at Wolves and another three points today would solidify their chances of finishing inside the top eight.

Liverpool: WWWLD

A poor second-half display last weekend saw the Reds throw away a two-goal lead against Arsenal at Anfield.

Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo had initially netted within two minutes of each other to give Liverpool a sizeable advantage at the break.

But Arsenal were level by the 70th minute and despite playing the final 15 minutes with 10 men, managed to earn a point.

Everyone of a Liverpool persuasion will be unconcerned by their last two performances and results. Arne Slot’s outfit were crowned champions three weeks ago, and their intensity has understandably declined ever since.

Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-1 Brighton, Premier League, 2nd November 2024

Liverpool produced a comeback to claim all three points in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

The league leaders threatened from the first whistle. Bart Verbruggen needed a firm wrist to deny Darwin Nunez’s early attempt.

A moment of magic gave the Seagulls the lead following a fast break. Danny Welbeck failed to control Kaoru Mitoma’s low cross, and the ball rolled towards the onrushing Ferdi Kadioglu. Despite the angle being unfavourable, the Turkish international contorted his body and venomously whipped a finish off the post and into the back of the net at the Kop End. Some way to score your first goal in English football.

The visitors then almost doubled their advantage following a defence-splitting pass from Yasin Ayari that released Georginio Rutter. The former Leeds attacker was bearing down on goal, but was thwarted by Caoimhin Kelleher. Brighton continued to pose a threat in transition, and Kadioglu should have hit the target with a volley at the back post.

The Reds were much improved after the break, and Joe Gomez spurned a glorious chance to open his account in senior football. His free header sailed comfortably into the palms of Verbruggen. Alexis Mac Allister then almost came back to haunt his former employers with a stooping header, but the goalkeeper reacted smartly.

Liverpool eventually found a way past the formidable Verbruggen in a slightly fortuitous manner. Cody Gakpo’s intended cross evaded every player and travelled straight into the net to level matters at Anfield.

The floodgates were open, and within three minutes, Mohamed Salah put his side in front. Pervis Estupinan couldn’t prevent the Egyptian from cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable curling strike into the top corner.

Arne Slot’s side managed the remaining quarter of an hour astutely to seal a valuable victory.

Predicted Lineups

Brighton: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Ayari, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota.

Who is the referee?

John Brooks will be the match official. Simon Bennett and Dan Cook will assist him, while Darren Bond will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Andy Madley, and he will be assisted by Scott Ledger.