Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday night as both clubs seek cup redemption amid Premier League struggles. With the Reds haunted by fourth-round failures and Brighton riding a six-match winless streak, this all-Premier League FA Cup clash promises tension and drama.
Table of Contents
Liverpool vs Brighton Match Snapshot
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Kick-off | Saturday, Feb 14 – 8:00 PM GMT |
| Venue | Anfield, Liverpool |
| Head-to-Head | 3-3 in FA Cup meetings |
| Recent Form | Liverpool LWWDL / Brighton LLLDL |
| Prediction | Liverpool 2-1 Brighton |
Liverpool’s Fourth-Round Curse
History haunts Liverpool in this competition stage. The eight-time FA Cup winners have been eliminated from six of their last nine fourth-round ties, including a shocking 1-0 defeat to bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle last season. Since 1992, no Premier League side has suffered more fourth-round exits (13) than the Reds.
Manager Arne Slot admitted to sleepless nights over team selection, facing a right-back crisis with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and now Wataru Endo all sidelined. Dominik Szoboszlai returns from suspension and could deputize as a makeshift full-back, while Joe Gomez provides another option.
Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland—secured by Virgil van Dijk’s header—offered relief after the painful late collapse against Manchester City. Sitting sixth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, Liverpool desperately need cup success to salvage their season.
Brighton’s Away Day Prowess
Don’t underestimate the Seagulls! Despite their dismal recent form—winless in six Premier League matches including defeats to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa—Brighton have won seven of their last eight FA Cup away games since 2022-23, more than any other side.
Their 2-1 third-round victory at Manchester United demonstrated their cup pedigree. Fabian Hürzeler’s team have reached the fifth round six times since 2017, only behind Manchester City and Manchester United in that metric.
Historically, Brighton have prevailed in three previous FA Cup meetings with Liverpool (1983, 1984, 2023), and reached at least the semi-finals twice after defeating the Reds. The return of Mats Wieffer from a toe injury strengthens their midfield options, though Solly March, Adam Webster, and Stefanos Tzimas remain absent.
Statistical Battleground
Recent Liverpool-Brighton encounters produce goals—at least three have been scored in 11 of the last 13 meetings across all competitions. Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield in December’s Premier League clash, extending their 11-match unbeaten home run against the Seagulls (W8, D3).
However, Brighton’s tactical flexibility under Hürzeler makes them dangerous. Pascal Groß orchestrates from midfield while Yankuba Minteh’s pace threatens on the counter. The Opta supercomputer predicts a Liverpool victory with 57.3% probability, compared to Brighton’s 20.5% chance.
The Selection Dilemma
Slot faces a balancing act between rest and momentum. Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa could start as rotation options, while Mohamed Salah’s creative genius remains essential. The absence of Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni limits attacking depth.
For Brighton, Danny Welbeck leads the line with Kaoru Mitoma providing width. Their recent struggles suggest vulnerability, but cup football’s unpredictability keeps this tie wide open.
FAQs
Q: When did Liverpool and Brighton last meet in the FA Cup?
The teams last met in the 2023 FA Cup, with Brighton winning 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, featuring Alexis Mac Allister against his future club.
Q: Can Liverpool overcome their fourth-round curse?
Despite being favorites, Liverpool’s record of 13 fourth-round eliminations since 1992—including last year’s Plymouth shock—makes this tie far from guaranteed.
