Preview: Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, will be competing in their first match under new manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Match preview

The fact that the Reds cannot overtake Brighton in the table even if they beat them at the weekend shows what a slow start the title hopefuls have made to the campaign.

Indeed, Liverpool have won only two of their six league games so far, although their upcoming fixture against Brighton will be their first domestic match for four weeks due to a combination of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the recent international break.

Jurgen Klopp's side were disappointing against Everton in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, although both teams had chances to win the Merseyside derby, with Jordan Pickford performing excellently to deny the likes of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.

The Reds did manage to claim a victory in their last match, though, with Joel Matip's 89th-minute header helping them to a 2-1 win against Ajax in the Champions League. Having been thrashed 4-1 by Napoli in their opening group game, those extra two points could prove crucial in terms of helping them through to the knockout stage.

Their attention must return to improving their league form and position, though, with Anfield likely to be full of vigor having gone so long since last seeing their team play. However, having drawn against Brighton at home last season, Klopp will be all too aware of the potential banana skin facing his team, especially with a new manager in the opposition dugout.

Like their forthcoming opponents, Brighton have not played in the Premier League for almost four weeks, with Graham Potter's last game in charge of the club prior to his move to Chelsea turning out to be a thumping 5-2 win over Leicester City.

The Seagulls showed excellent resolve to come from behind after Kelechi Iheanacho opened the scoring within the first minute, with Patson Daka levelling the scoreline to make it 2-2 at half time.

Alexis Mac Allister was in excellent form on the day - as he has been for much of the season since dropping to a deeper midfield role - and capped his performance by scoring from the penalty spot before curling a delightful free kick beyond the reach of Danny Ward. The Argentina international could have had a hat-trick, but saw his vicious strike from the edge of the area disallowed for a tight offside call.

It remains to be seen how quickly and dramatically De Zerbi looks to change what had proven to be an increasingly winning formula under Potter, who helped his side to 13 points from the opening six games of the season.

The Italian became known for implementing a very attacking style at Sassuolo in Serie A, but he is unlikely to go gung ho from day one, especially with a trip to Anfield representing one of the toughest managerial debuts any manager could face.

Liverpool Premier League form:

D

D

L

W

W

D

Liverpool form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

L

W

Brighton & Hove Albion Premier League form:

W

D

W

W

L

W

Brighton & Hove Albion form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

W

Team News

Liverpool will remain without Andrew Robertson (knee), Naby Keita (thigh), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Calvin Ramsay (back) and Kaide Gordon (pelvis) for the visit of Brighton on Saturday.

However, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher could all be available to be named in the matchday squad for the first time in a competitive match this season, although the trio may not be risked given the amount of games to come in October.

Jordan Henderson also returned from injury to make a late cameo for England during the Three Lions' 3-3 draw against Germany on Monday, and he could be named in the starting XI in order to provide valuable experience in midfield.

Diogo Jota, who created Salah's opener against Ajax and generally looked lively in a central role, is likely to receive the nod ahead of Nunez and Roberto Firmino having fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Brighton, meanwhile, will travel without Jakub Moder (knee) and Adam Lallana (calf), who will be desperately disappointed to miss out on playing against his former club.

De Zerbi generally favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation at Sassuolo, but he may retain Potter's preferred back three system for now, with the 43-year-old unlikely to make many changes to the starting XI that thrashed Leicester last time out.

Enock Mwepu has been suffering from a fever, though, which ruled him out of competing for Zambia during the international break, and he is likely to be left at home as a precaution.

As such, Leandro Trossard could move further up the pitch, with wing-backs Tariq Lamptey and Pervis Estupinan potentially fighting for a spot on the opposite flank to Solly March. The former could win that particular duel in order to allow March to play on his natural left side.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Diaz

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, MacAllister, Caicedo, March; Gross, Trossard; Welbeck

We say: Liverpool 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

We expect Brighton to come flying out of the traps under their new manager and make life very difficult for Liverpool.

However, the Reds showed some signs of returning to their best against Ajax, and they should be able to get over the line in the end.

Previews by email