By Kian Roy.
Liverpool return to action in the Premier League at 12:30 on Saturday 21st
March when they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove
Albion in their quest for Champions League qualification with Arne Slot’s
side looking to take momentum from their convincing midweek victory in
the UEFA Champions League.
Brighton will be looking to continue their recent upturn in form winning 3
out of their last 4 has seen Fabian Hurzeler’s side steer clear of any doubts about
being pulled into a relegation battle.
Liverpool will head into the match as favourites and with a massive
confidence boost from their midweek victory but the Reds will be without
Mohamed Salah who was substituted during Wednesday’s match due to a
suspected muscle injury and Arne Slot has today confirmed that the
Egyptian winger will be unavailable for their trip to Brighton giving the
Dutchman a decision to make for the right wing position. As well as
Mohamed Salah being unavailable, Joe Gomez is also a doubt with the
English defender not appearing in training before the Galatasaray fixture
but despite being named on the bench on Wednesday, Arne Slot has
confirmed that the defender was not ready to feature in the game and remains
a doubt for Saturday’s fixture.
Brighton also have doubts over the fitness of some of their key
players. Firstly, Karou Mitoma was a doubt heading into the weekend after
picking up a minor injury against Arsenal, but Fabian Hurzeler expects the
Japanese winger to be available for the game against Liverpool. Carlos
Baleba is also expected to return for Brighton despite doubts over his
fitness in the week helping bolster Brighton’s chances of taking all three
points at the Amex.
Arne Slot’s Reds and Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have faced each five times
during the two managers tenures at the club, with Arne Slot coming out on
top in four of those ties. The sides have already met twice this season with
Liverpool coming out on top in both the FA Cup and Premier League ties
both at Anfield. Hurzeler’s side will be looking to match the performance
they put in against Liverpool at the Amex in their 3-2 victory at the end of
last season.
