Liverpool continue their Premier League charge against Brighton at Anfield this afternoon, having only just played the same opponents in midweek.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have predicted whether or not Liverpool will beat Brighton this weekend. The Reds will lock horns with the Seagulls at Anfield on Saturday afternoon as Fabian Hürzeler looks to exact his revenge on Arne Slot – following their midweek meeting in a different competition.
Liverpool enjoyed a 3-2 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, booking themselves a spot in the quarter-final against Southampton. Cody Gakpo netted the opener shortly after half-time, before doubling the Merseyside outfit’s lead on the hour-mark.
There was a late flurry of goals. Simon Adingra pulled one back for the Seagulls, but Luis Diaz then re-established his side’s two-goal lead just moments later. In stoppage time, Tariq Lamptey bested Vítězslav Jaroš – but Brighton couldn’t find an equaliser in the final minutes.
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Nevertheless, Merson has predicted another goals fest. In his column for Sportskeeda, the Arsenal legend said: “Liverpool are going along nicely now, they had a brilliant result in the cup against Brighton and I think they win again this weekend.
“Last week against Arsenal, I thought that they produced a top performance to come from behind and get their draw. I look at Brighton and they are one of them sides; if they are hot, they’re really hot but if not, they struggle.
“This is a difficult game for Liverpool, but I still expect them to show that quality and get the three points. I’m not sure if Kostas Tsimikas has now replaced Andy Robertson as the first choice left-back at Liverpool.
“Robertson struggled against Arsenal, but the fact is Bukayo Saka can do that any defender in this league! Maybe Arne Slot going back to Robertson for the cup game against Brighton was for him to get some confidence.
“If Tsimikas gets into the starting XI this weekend, then that could be a sign of things to come. Liverpool have lots of selection headaches and it’s not a bad problem to have, so I’m sure Slot will handle it well.
“It’s difficult to pick between Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in their midfield for the game against Brighton. I would personally go with Szoboszlai, but Jones was terrific against Chelsea and Slot may decide to pick him again.
“Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz also scored goals during the cup game. Despite the fact that Gakpo is playing well, Diaz offers just a little more on the left with his pace and I’d pick him as part of the front three here. [I’m going] Liverpool 3-1 Brighton.”
Speaking to BBC Sport, meanwhile, Sutton was a bit more conservative with his prediction, although he did back Liverpool to keep a clean sheet this time around. The former Chelsea striker said: “It has not been a great week for Brighton, who threw victory away against Wolves last weekend, conceding a 93rd minute equaliser – and then lost at home to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
“Going to Anfield will be even harder for them. Liverpool dropped points against Arsenal in their last league game, but I can’t see that happening here. Brighton will cause problems, but they can’t afford to slip up – and they won’t.”
