Liverpool vs Brighton tips and predictions: Jurgen Klopp's farewell tour to get back on track

Most farewell tours have a hitch or too, think back just a couple of years ago to Elton John's when the covid-19 pandemic halted his swansong. 

Jurgen Klopp knows exactly how that feels (bar the piano playing) as Liverpool were denied a FA Cup semi-final spot by a goal from the lesser-spotted Amad Diallo in the dying embers of extra-time in a 4-3 thriller at Old Trafford.

Now the quadruple is out of sight, Klopp must prepare his troops for a title fight for the ages, and they could very much end the day top of the pile, unless Mikel Arteta's Arsenal do the near-impossible and beat Manchester City at the Etihad.

If this was the Brighton of last season, you would argue that Roberto De Zerbi's men would be a stern test for the Reds, however they've lacked consistency this season and injuries to key players like Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March have stalled progress on the south coast.

However, they still have plenty to play for, as they are just two points off seventh with a game in hand on West Ham, and they do have players available like young striker Evan Ferguson and AFCON winner Simon Adingra, who can produce moments of magic.

Brighton, unlike many sides, have actually picked up points at Anfield in recent times, with their last three visits yielding five points, a record that can only be matched by Manchester City over the same time period.

However, the Reds are a different animal to what they were last season, when Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick to secure a 3-3 draw for the Seagulls in De Zerbi's first match as manager. 

Nobody has picked up the full three points at Anfield this season, and only Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal have come away with their points tally being better off.

Liverpool still have plenty of absentees in the treatment room, but Mohamed Salah is back in business and should be back to full fitness, having scored in the FA Cup last time out. 

While the Seagulls have a good recent record against the Reds, they have been poor on the road lately, losing five of their last six on their travels across all competitions and they have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight away days and, which came at lowly Sheffield United.

Liverpool have been freescoring at home this season, the Reds have scored three or more in a home league match 10 times out of a possible 14, so expect more goals here considering the Seagulls' defensive frailties.

The Seagulls' good run against Klopp's men should end here with a high-scoring win for the hosts.

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Team news

Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and Diogo Jota are all ruled out for the hosts.

Darwin Nunez, Andrew Robertson and Curtis Jones will face lat fitness tests.

Solly March, Joao Pedro, James Milner, Jack Hinshelwood and Kaoru Mitoma are all ruled out for the Seagulls.

 

Key stats

- Liverpool have won just one of their last eight against Brighton in all competitions

- Mohamed Salah has 15 goal involvements (eight goals, seven assists) in 14 appearances against the Seagulls

- Brighton have lost five of their last six away games in all competitions, conceding 14 goals in the process

- Roberto De Zerbi is yet to lose a match against Jurgen Klopp

 

Suggested bets

Liverpool Asian handicap -1.5

Over 3.5 match goals

Mohamed Salah to score in 90 mins