Liverpool have shown they can rescue a game. Against Brighton today, they need to show they can take charge of one.
Successive comeback victories over Brentford and Villarreal have given Andoni Iraola something to build on, but the next step is overdue: a first Premier League win at Anfield under the new head coach.
Brighton make that a demanding target. They arrive four points ahead of Liverpool, with the league’s most productive attack and a run of domestic results that deserves considerably more attention than their reputation as awkward opponents.
This is an opportunity for Liverpool to close the gap on a team above them. It is also a test of whether the recent victories represent progress that can be sustained.
Kick-off at Anfield is 2pm GMT, with the game live on Sky Sports Premier League.
Comebacks have bought momentum — now Liverpool need control
There was plenty to admire in Liverpool’s refusal to accept defeat against Villarreal. Recovering from two goals down to win 4-3 requires belief, attacking quality and players willing to take responsibility.
It also leaves an obvious question: why did Liverpool give themselves so much to recover from?
The same question applies, on a smaller scale, to the win at Brentford. Chasing games places extra demands on a squad already negotiating a crowded schedule. It encourages risk, stretches the pitch and makes every defensive mistake more expensive.
Liverpool cannot keep depending on their forwards to repair the damage.
Two draws and a defeat from Iraola’s opening three home league matches have made today an important afternoon. Cup victories have shown that this team can win at Anfield. The task is to establish that habit in the competition that measures progress every week.
Brighton’s clean sheets deserve equal billing
Brighton’s 23 goals in seven league matches explain much of the excitement surrounding Fabian Hurzeler’s side. Their latest league result, a 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, supplied another convincing advertisement for their attacking confidence.
But the more revealing sequence is four successive league wins, with 15 goals scored and none conceded.
That changes the challenge for Liverpool. They are facing opponents who have recently combined attacking ambition with the ability to shut teams out. Simply making the afternoon open and frantic offers no obvious advantage.
Brighton have already beaten Arsenal during that run. They will arrive expecting to compete, and Liverpool must give them reasons to doubt themselves.
The midfield decisions carry particular weight
Dominik Szoboszlai’s absence matters in a match likely to demand repeated efforts without the ball. Liverpool lose a player capable of pressing, recovering ground and supporting attacks within the same passage of play.
Ryan Gravenberch’s return from domestic suspension gives Iraola an important option. His ability to carry possession through pressure could help Liverpool move the game away from their own defence and bring Florian Wirtz into play closer to goal.
The purpose must be to create better opportunities for Alexander Isak. With five goals in six league appearances, the striker has supplied a strong return. Liverpool’s responsibility is to find him before Brighton’s defence has time to settle.
That requires movement around Wirtz, width to stretch the visitors and passes delivered early enough to reward Isak’s runs. Slow circulation followed by hopeful service would waste one of Liverpool’s clearest strengths.
Fresh legs could matter, but Brighton have planned for this
Liverpool played at home on Tuesday. Brighton travelled to the Czech Republic for Thursday’s goalless Conference League draw with Jablonec.
Those additional recovery days should help the hosts, particularly later in the match. However, Brighton made extensive changes in Europe, while Diego Gomez and Maxim De Cuyper were rested altogether.
Liverpool cannot assume the visitors will fade. They need to make the recovery advantage count through the pace and consistency of their own performance.
Iraola also has decisions to make after using Isak, Wirtz, Barcola and Milos Kerkez from the bench against Villarreal. Rio Ngumoha’s two assists in that victory strengthen his claim for further involvement, although his workload remains a consideration.
Latest team news
Barcola is available after having his training workload managed. Victor Munoz remains doubtful following the knock sustained at Brentford.
Alongside Szoboszlai, Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike.
Brighton are assessing Pascal Struijk, while Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer are nearing returns. Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson and Stefanos Tzimas remain among their absentees.
The verdict
Liverpool won both Anfield meetings with Brighton last season, but today’s visitors bring form that makes history a limited guide.
For the Reds, the standard should be a performance that gives their attacking quality a stable platform. They need pressure that works collectively, midfield support when possession changes hands and the composure to withstand difficult spells without surrendering control.
Anfield has enjoyed the drama. Today, it needs to see a team capable of making victory less complicated.
