Prediction: Liverpool vs Brighton

Verdict: Saido Mane to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Now tipped by almost everyone to be Manchester City’s leading contenders, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side will look to carry on their impressive start to the new campaign when they welcome an always resilient Brighton side to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool

Starting with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, although they may have fell short against Real Madrid in the Champions League final back in June, The Reds don’t appear to have missed a beat. After putting four past West Ham on the opening weekend, Liverpool are now coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night. Now almost universally tipped as the defending champions major rival, Klopp’s side also heavily invested in their squad this summer. Bringing in the likes of Allison, Keita and Fabinho, it has been one of last years stars who has been leading from the front at the start of the season. Finding the net against Palace last week, Saido Mane already has three goals in his opening two games. It will also be their form in the final third that is impressing their German boss, led by worlds most expensive defender Virgil van Dijk, the Reds have now conceded just one in their last five Premier League matches.

Team News

With no new injury updates, Jurgen Klopp is expected to name the same side.

Brighton

As for The Seagulls, coming off the back of their historic 3-2 win over Manchester United last weekend, the mood is high around the Amex Stadium. While they may have impressed against The Red Devils, Chris Houghton’s side have shown their inconstancies once again. After losing 2-0 away to Watford on the opening game of the season, they appear to have carried on their shocking record on the road. In fact, Brighton have now failed to win their last 16 matches away from the Amex, a run the stems back to a 1-0 win over Swansea in November 2017. While they’re shore to give nothing short of 100% under the former Newcastle boss, Brighton have recorded no clean sheets in their last nine matches in all competitions and will struggle to keep The Reds out.

Team News

Leon Balogun could make his first Brighton start as Lewis Dunk is a major doubt with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester United.

Club captain Bruno is out with a hamstring injury, Jose Izquierdo is lacking fitness and new signing Florin Andone has a groin problem.

Key Factors to Consider

While The Seagulls may have impressed last weekend, Houghton will know that Saturday will be a very different type of test. With Brighton’s woeful record on the road, coupled with the fact the Liverpool have now scored 18 in their last five matches in all competitions, it’s hard to see anything other than another win for Klopp’s side. Scoring three in his last two and up against a Brighton defense without a clean sheet in their last nine, the Senegal international should fancy his chances of carrying on his record.

Verdict: Sadio Mane to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Bet365