All eyes will be on the home team sheet, checking for the name of Mohamed Salah, when Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday afternoon in a Premier League clash packed with subplots.
Both sides are desperate to return to winning ways after dropping points last weekend—Liverpool in a 3-3 thriller at Leeds, Brighton in a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Liverpool
The Salah saga continues to dominate headlines, with speculation mounting over whether the Egyptian has already played his final game for the club. The forward himself has said his relationship with Arne Slot has broken down, and his omission from the squad for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan only fueled the debate.
On the pitch, Salah’s numbers have dipped alarmingly: his lowest per-90 figures for shots (2.6), shots on target (0.8), and touches in the opposition box (7.3) since joining Liverpool. Defensively, he ranks last among 45 wide forwards for tracking back—a stark contrast to his peak years.
Liverpool’s domestic form is equally concerning. Just two wins in their last 10 league games (D2 L6) have left them 10th in the table, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal, though only three off fourth place. Their 23 points and 24 goals conceded after 15 matches mark the worst start by a reigning champion since Leicester in 2016/17. Defensive frailties persist: 48 goals shipped in 35 league games this calendar year, nearing unwanted historical records.
Still, Anfield offers some solace. Liverpool have lost only one of eight home league meetings with Brighton (W5 D2), though that defeat came in February 2021—the last time they faced the Seagulls as champions.
Team News
Cody Gakpo (unspecified), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), and Conor Bradley (suspended) are out, while Jeremie Frimpong, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo face late fitness checks.
Salah’s inclusion remains uncertain ahead of AFCON duty, despite his stellar record against Brighton (10 goals, 7 assists in 18 games).
Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s standout performer, should start, while Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch compete for other midfield spots. Joe Gomez is expected at right-back, and Florian Wirtz could return to the XI.
Brighton
Fabian Hurzeler’s side squandered a golden chance to break into the top four last weekend, lacking creativity in a 1-1 draw with West Ham. All four of their shots on target came after the 89th minute, including Georginio Rutter’s equalizer. Hurzeler admitted his team “did not deserve” more than a point.
Brighton sit eighth, level on points with Liverpool and three behind fourth-placed Crystal Palace. December has historically been unkind—they’ve failed to win any of their last eight league games in the month (D5 L3). However, back-to-back away clean sheets offer hope, and they aim for consecutive wins over Liverpool for the first time after May’s 3-2 triumph at the Amex.
Team News
Stefanos Tzimas, Solly March, Adam Webster, and James Milner remain sidelined, while Kaoru Mitoma continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Yasin Ayari and Tom Watson are doubts.
If fit, Ayari will battle Diego Gomez and Jack Hinshelwood for a midfield role alongside Carlos Baleba. Rutter should retain his spot behind Danny Welbeck after netting his first league goal last weekend.
Conclusion
The team scoring first has failed to win any of the last four league meetings between these sides, so expect drama. Liverpool’s aura at Anfield has faded—they’ve gone three home games without a win, conceding seven goals—but Brighton’s own inconsistencies make this hard to call.
A high-tempo, end-to-end contest seems likely, with the champions still slight favorites to edge it, even if a share of the spoils shouldn’t be ruled out.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 13/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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