Jürgen Klopp said in his press conference that. “The last game against Brighton is still the worst game I have ever seen.” Now the Reds with get a chance for revenge as they face the same Seagull club that soundly defeated Liverpool 3-0 on January 14th in FA Cup action on Sunday, January 29th.
Taking Small Steps
Since that loss to Brighton, Liverpool have enjoyed a better run of play over their last two matches. After a draw with Chelsea, Klopp says that the club is taking small but important steps toward improving the mistakes that have plagued them all season. The introduction of Stefan Bajcetic, who recently signed a contract extension, into the midfield has given the team a spark. The defence also seems to be rounding into form, posting consecutive clean sheets for just the second time all season. Let's hope those trends continue.
Bright Play From The Seagulls
Getting a win against Brighton will not be easy as they have 7 points in their last 3 EPL fixtures, including the aforementioned victory over Liverpool. As a result, they have risen to 6th on the PL table with 31 points. While this match will not count in those standings, it shows that Brighton have been in good form of late. They have not lost in their four competitive matches of 2023, scoring 11 goals in the process. The Liverpool defence will have to be stout once again to claim victory on the coast.
An Advantage For The Reds?
It is no secret that Liverpool is the defending FA Cup champions. The question is will that work to the Reds' advantage as they advance deeper in the competition?
“Being cup holders, I don't think it's [a] massive advantage in the competition. We start completely new. We know how great the event is if you arrive at the final, so that's helpful,” Klopp said.
LFC Globe Verdict
It's not often in life that you fail spectacularly at something and get a chance to rectify it so quickly. Well, that's exactly the opportunity the Reds have been given against Brighton. They have improved over the last two games. Now it's a chance to find out vs. the same team in the same venue where they suffered their worse loss of the season. While it won't get the 3 points back they lost, a win will give fans tangible evidence of the improvement they have been longing for all campaign long.
Prediction: Liverpool 2 Brighton 1
Where to Watch
Kickoff is set for 13:30 GMT at Amex Stadium and will air on ITV 1. American audiences can stream the action at 8:30 AM EST on ESPN+. Canadian viewers watch via Sportsnet.