Fresh from collecting their first-ever point in European football, Brighton and Hove Albion resume Premier League duty at home to fellow Europa League challengers Liverpool at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
The Seagulls came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against French Ligue 1 side Marseille on Thursday while Liverpool comfortably saw off Belgian side Union SG 2-0 on the same night.
In the Liverpool fixture, Brighton hope to black out flashbacks from the 6-1 humiliation by Aston Villa last weekend and focus on getting all three points against the Reds, who are also getting over the VAR controversy that condemned them to a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side are now enduring an unusual three-game winless run heading into this game.
Their defense has been leaky this season, having let in 20 goals already in all competitions- the most of any club in the league.
They have not kept a single clean sheet, but should they manage to overcome Liverpool, it will be three consecutive Premier League wins at home for them for the first time since 2019.
Liverpool are up for revenge of what Brighton did to them last season. The Reds played the Seagulls thrice last season and only managed a 3-3 draw in one of those. They lost the other two matches with 3-0 and 2-1 scorelines.
One point separates Liverpool from Brighton as the former sit fourth and the latter sixth in the Premier League table with 16 and 15 points respectively. They are both striving to return to winning ways.
Team news
Brighton’s left-back Pervis Estupinan who sustained a thigh injury during their draw with Marseille in midweek is expected to be sidelined for over a month.
The Ecuadorian Jakub Moder (knee), Julio Enciso (knee), James Milner (knock), and Adam Lallana (knock) are also on the sidelines.
For Liverpool, Curtis Jones begins a three-game suspension while Diogo Jota will also serve his one-match suspension after getting two yellow cards last weekend.
Cody Gakpo (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Caoimhin Kelleher (knee) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are out of contention as well. Everyone else is available for selection.
