Liverpool vs Brighton Predictions & Tips - Brighton to Test Reds in EPL Contest
- Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
- BTTS & over 2.5 goals backed in Sunday's Anfield clash
- Liverpool vs Brighton predictions for the Premier League
Liverpool vs Brighton Predictions
Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
The in-form Seagulls should give the hosts a tough test in what promises to be an open, entertaining contest.
BTTS & over 2.5 goals is my first pick. I'm also backing Brighton to score at least twice.
Goals on the Cards at Anfield
- Liverpool have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 11 matches
- Brighton have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 9 matches against Liverpool
- Brighton scored 2+ goals in 6 of their last 7 matches
Liverpool Hold the Advantage Since 2020
Liverpool and Brighton have met on 16 occasions since 2020. The Reds won seven of those encounters, while Brighton claimed five victories. Four games finished level.
Brighton secured a 2-1 win in their most recent encounter at the AMEX earlier this year.
Liverpool Edge Seven-Goal UCL Thriller
Liverpool return to Premier League action after a dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory against Villarreal on Tuesday.
Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, with Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz also on target as the hosts recovered from two goals down to secure a thrilling three points at Anfield.
Rio Ngumoha impressed as Liverpool again relied on their attack to overcome defensive issues at the back. The Reds outshot Villarreal 22-14 and recorded a higher xG total (2.37-1.58) but gave the visitors plenty of chances at the other end.
Iraola's side have now won each of their last three matches, scoring 12 goals in the process.
That run began with a 6-3 victory at LASK before a 2-1 comeback win at nine-man Brentford in their most recent Premier League contest.
High-scoring outcomes have been frequent, with an average of 4.5 goals per game scored in their six most recent matches.
Clean sheets remain frustratingly elusive for the home side, though. The Reds conceded at least one goal in eight of 11 games played this season.
Liverpool now sit fifth in the Premier League with 12 points picked up from seven fixtures. The Reds already trail league leaders Man City by nine points.
Brighton Held in Czechia
Brighton head north to Merseyside after a goalless Conference League draw at Jablonec on Thursday.
Despite dominating the contest against their Czech hosts, Fabian Hurzeler's side were unable to find a breakthrough at Stadion Strelnice.
The Seagulls controlled possession (72%), outshot Jablonec 26-9 and recorded a higher xG total (1.42-0.73).
Brighton had been much more clinical in last weekend's 5-0 victory against Crystal Palace. Diego Gomez, Yasin Ayari, and Charalampos Kostoulas were among the goals in a famous derby success against the Eagles.
Gomez's superb strike from the halfway line was the highlight of a dominant win at the AMEX.
The in-form visitors have already claimed impressive Premier League wins against Manchester United (3-2) and Arsenal (3-0) in an outstanding start to the season.
Top scorers in the division, Brighton scored an average of over three goals per game in seven EPL fixtures.
Liverpool vs Brighton Team News
Liverpool: (4-2-3-1) Alisson; Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch; Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola; Alexander Isak.
Head coach Iraola is expected to recall Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz after both began Tuesday's game on the bench. Rio Ngumoha should retain his place following an outstanding display against Villarreal.
Bradley Barcola missed training on Thursday but is expected to be available while Victor Munoz faces a late fitness test.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley remain sidelined.
Speaking after Tuesday's win, Iraola highlighted Brighton's impressive form ahead of the Seagulls' trip to Anfield:
"They are flying. Their confidence is through the roof. A similar style to Villarreal. They are second in everything after Barcelona. It has been a good game to prepare, and we will use it."
Brighton: (4-2-3-1) Bart Verbruggen; Ferdi Kadioglu, Luka Vuskovic, Lewis Dunk, Olivier Boscagli; Pascal Gross, Chema Andres; Diego Gomez, Yasin Ayari, Maxim De Cuyper; Charalampos Kostoulas.
Head coach Hurzeler will make changes from the rotated selection that started Thursday's draw in Czechia.
Ferdi Kadioglu, Luka Vuskovic, Lewis Dunk, Chema Andres, Diego Gomez and Yasin Ayari are expected to return to the first XI.
Injured quartet Mats Wieffer, Evan Ferguson, Stefanos Tzimas and Kaoru Mitoma remain sidelined while Femi Azeez and Pascal Struijk face late fitness checks.
Hurzeler admitted Brighton needed to improve after the goalless draw at Jablonec:
"We did not play on our highest level; Jablonec defended well and defend box well, good movement in transition. Overall, not the result we wanted, but we have to keep going.
"If you play 0-0, then you didn't create enough; that's definitely something we have to get better at."
"We have to understand what it needs to play in this cup; understand we have to be brilliant at the basics. We weren't good at the basics today; that's something we have to improve."
Verdict
Liverpool and Brighton should serve up a thrilling EPL contest with both teams capable of scoring several goals.
BTTS & over 2.5 goals is my best bet, while I also fancy the visitors to score two goals or more.
BTTS & over 2.5 goals is my best bet, while I also fancy the visitors to score two goals or more.
Ryan Allan
Football Writer • 10+ Years Of Experience, Football Analyst
Ryan is a Barcelona-based soccer fanatic with 10+ years of experience as a sports writer and statistical analyst. He is the European correspondent here at Expert Picks.
He covers a number of leagues including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Serie A and Bundesliga.
A huge fan of the goal markets, he specialises in BTTS and over 2.5 goal picks from the EPL to the Bundesliga and beyond.