After narrowly defeating Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday, Liverpool will be hoping for a more comfortable evening on Thursday as they travel to Brighton & Hove Albion. In the latest fixture of the Reds’ Champions tour, Brighton will be hoping to upset the odds and, in the process, all but confirm their survival. As for Liverpool, with just 12 more points needed to break the previously set points record of 100 by Manchester City, they will be eager to take a vital step towards greatness with three points.
Liverpool Travel to Brighton in Latest Step of Champions Tour
Previous Meeting – a Crucial Result in Liverpool’s Pursuit of Champions Status
If the last meeting between the two sides is anything to go by, we can certainly expect a game full of dramatic moments. November’s meeting at Anfield saw the defenders become the attacking threats, with Virgil van Dijk netting a brace before a Lewis Dunk’s free-kick found Adrian’s net to make the score 2-1 on the night in what was a crucial result for the now Champions.
This time around, however, Liverpool will be keen for a comfortable evening at the Amex, after being forced to defend a 2-1 lead with one man less last time out. Alisson’s sending off very nearly spoiled what was a solid Liverpool performance, bar a nervous last 10 minutes in November.
With the title wrapped up and Brighton nine points clear of the relegation zone, it will not come as a surprise to see the intensity drop significantly. The game itself, with no fans in attendance and nothing to play for, could even turn into a friendly like atmosphere, giving Jurgen Klopp another opportunity to give fringe players a chance to earn a medal.
Team News
Brighton
After defeating Norwich City 1-0 last time out, Brighton will be hoping to go again with the same formula of success. This could see the likes of Neil Maupay and Aaron Mooy retain their place alongside young right-back, Tariq Lamptey. On the injury front, the Seagulls will be going into the game with no new concerns and a fully fit squad at their disposal.
Liverpool
As for Liverpool, Joel Matip confirmed that he expects to miss the rest of the season through injury. Dejan Lovren and James Milner, too, were absent during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Both the Croatian and Englishman will face fitness tests ahead of their trip; tests that, if passed, could see them come back into the side. Jurgen Klopp may be keen to make changes against Brighton, too, after just three days between fixtures.
LWOS Prediction
The game, albeit with nothing to play for, could well prove to be an entertaining one. A win for Brighton could see them go 12 points clear of the dropzone. Meanwhile, a win for Liverpool will see them go within nine points of breaking the points record.
Brighton 0-2 Liverpool
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
