Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Betfair
Eight‑time FA Cup winners Liverpool welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Anfield on Saturday night for an all‑Premier League fourth‑round clash.
The Seagulls make the trip to Merseyside seeking revenge after their 2‑0 league defeat at the same venue in mid‑December.
Liverpool
Just three days after their painful 2-1 Premier League loss to Manchester City, Liverpool steadied themselves with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Sunderland on Wednesday night—handing the Black Cats their first home defeat of the season. Virgil van Dijk’s towering header proved decisive, helping Arne Slot’s men revive their push for Champions League qualification. The Reds now sit sixth, three points behind fourth‑placed Manchester United with 12 league games still to play.
A return to Anfield will be welcome. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 11 home matches against Brighton (W8 D3) since a 2-1 FA Cup loss back in February 1983. They have also claimed four wins from their last five encounters with the Seagulls across all competitions.
Saturday’s fixture marks the seventh FA Cup meeting between the clubs—each side has progressed three times apiece. Liverpool did so in 1907–08, 1990–91 and 2011–12; Brighton in 1982–83, 1983–84 and most recently 2022–23.
However, the FA Cup fourth round has been a stumbling block for Liverpool in recent years. They have been knocked out at this stage in six of their last nine campaigns, including last season’s upset defeat to Plymouth Argyle. Since the Premier League era began, no club has been eliminated more often at this stage than Liverpool (13 exits).
Team News
Wataru Endo is out after being stretchered off with an ankle injury at Sunderland, joining Alexander Isak (leg), Jeremie Frimpong (thigh), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) on the sidelines. Joe Gomez returned from a hip issue in midweek and may start if fit.
Dominik Szoboszlai is available again after serving a one‑match suspension. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha all push for starts. Mohamed Salah—who has 10 goals and eight assists in 19 games against Brighton—may again lead the forward line.
Brighton
Brighton’s February struggles continued in midweek. A 1-0 loss to Aston Villa followed a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, extending their winless Premier League run to six matches (D3 L3). With only one victory from their last 13 league games (D6 L6), pressure has intensified on manager Fabian Hürzeler. The Seagulls have tumbled to 14th in the table, seven points clear of the drop zone but eight adrift of seventh‑placed Brentford.
An FA Cup run could lift the mood. Brighton have excelled at this stage, winning their last three fourth‑round ties—all against Premier League opposition. Since their promotion in 2017, they have reached the fifth round six times—only Manchester City and Manchester United have done so more often.
Their league record at Anfield is dismal, but their FA Cup away form is superb. Brighton have won seven of their last eight away ties in the competition, including a 2‑1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in round three. Since the start of 2022–23, no club has more away wins in the FA Cup.
Furthermore, Brighton knocked Liverpool out of the competition just two seasons ago, winning 2‑1 at the Amex Stadium thanks to goals from Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma—a result that offers genuine encouragement.
Team News
Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster and Solly March remain out with knee injuries, while Yasin Ayari is sidelined with a shoulder issue. Mats Wieffer returns after a toe injury.
A refreshed lineup is likely, with Jason Steele, Maxim De Cuyper, Olivier Boscagli, Jack Hinshelwood, Harry Howell, Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter all available for rotation. Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner—who equalled Gareth Barry’s Premier League appearance record in midweek—could be handed a rare start in midfield.
Head‑to‑Head
Liverpool have dominated recent home meetings, going unbeaten in 11 straight at Anfield. However, Brighton eliminated the Reds in the FA Cup in 2023 and have consistently troubled Premier League sides in the competition.
With high‑scoring games a frequent feature of this fixture—over 2.5 goals in 11 of the last 13 clashes—another open contest is probable.
Conclusion
Liverpool will be favourites, but Brighton’s strong FA Cup away record means this tie should not be taken lightly. With goals expected and rotation likely on both sides, the match promises to be open and entertaining.
Still, Slot’s team—buoyed by recent domestic progress and Anfield’s backing—remain the likelier side to progress to the fifth round.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Betfair
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