Brighton vs Liverpool Preview - Premier League: The ultimate challenge at the Amex

The clash between Brighton and Liverpool in this round is crucial for the ambitions of both teams in the final stages of the season. While Liverpool are desperately chasing the top four, the home team Brighton are eager to improve their mid-table position to keep their hopes of securing a European spot alive next season. The match promises to be a tense battle of wits between the resilience of a wounded giant and the tenacity of a mid-table team in stable form.

Time and location of the event

The match will take place at 7:30 PM on March 21, 2026. Brighton's advantage in this home game is playing at the Amex Stadium, where they always receive enthusiastic support from their home crowd.

Ranking position and realistic goals

Currently, Liverpool are 5th in the Premier League table with 49 points after 30 matches. The gap to the leading group is not too large, but to maintain pressure, the team needs to be careful with every point, especially in away games. The away team's form in their last 5 matches has been quite positive with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Conversely, Brighton are currently content with 12th place with 40 points. Although they are 9 points behind Liverpool, Brighton remain a formidable opponent for big teams. Their form in the last 5 matches includes 3 wins and 2 losses, showing inconsistency but also moments of brilliance.

Analyzing team form and strength

Brighton: A strong home advantage.

This season, Brighton have played a total of 30 matches with a record of 10 wins, 10 draws, and 10 losses. Notably, 6 of their 10 wins came from matches at the Amex Stadium. This confirms that their home ground is where Brighton can confidently deploy a control-oriented style of play and cause difficulties for any opponent. With a close goal difference (39 goals scored, 36 goals conceded), Brighton's defense is considered quite disciplined under the leadership of key players.

Liverpool: A difficult squad selection problem.

Liverpool boasts one of the most powerful attacks in the league, averaging 1.6 goals per game (49 goals in total). However, their defense has also shown many weaknesses, having conceded 40 goals since the start of the season. Liverpool's away form this year hasn't been particularly impressive, winning only 6 out of 15 away matches. The pressure to score will fall heavily on the remaining forwards, especially with their star player Mohamed Salah absent.

Missing players: A shock for the away team.

The squad situation is a real headache for Liverpool's coaching staff. The Merseyside team's injury list is growing alarmingly long. Key players such as Mohamed Salah (muscle injury), Alexander Isak (broken leg), W. Endo (foot injury), S. Bajcetic (hamstring injury), and C. Bradley (knee injury) are all certain to be absent. In addition, the availability of defender Joe Gomez remains uncertain.

On Brighton's side, the home team will also be missing two key defenders, S. Tzimas and A. Webster, due to knee injuries. However, compared to the scale of Liverpool's losses, Brighton will still be able to operate their system more smoothly.

Historically, Liverpool holds the advantage in head-to-head encounters.

Historically, Liverpool still holds a clear advantage in head-to-head encounters. In their last five meetings, Liverpool have won four and lost only one. Most recently, in February 2026, Liverpool defeated Brighton 3-0. However, the memory of their 2-3 defeat at the Amex Stadium in May 2025 serves as a reminder that Brighton are perfectly capable of overthrowing the giants if their opponents lack focus.

Expert analysis and tactical predictions

Despite significant personnel losses, Liverpool are still considered the favorites thanks to the quality of their remaining stars and squad depth. However, Brighton, with the advantage of playing at home, will undoubtedly play a high-pressing game and exploit the lack of personnel in their opponents' midfield to launch counter-attacks.

Experts predict that Liverpool's chances of winning remain at 45%, equal to the probability of a draw (45%). Brighton only have about a 10% chance of securing all three points. With both teams' attacking lines weakened, this match is unlikely to see many goals.

Predicted result:Win or draw for Liverpool.

Team lineup updated at 19:01 on 21/03/2026

Official lineup

Brighton

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachFabian Hurzeler

Starting lineup:

• 1. Bart Verbruggen (G)
• 27. Mats Wieffer (D)
• 6. Jan Paul van Hecke (D)
• 5. Lewis Dunk (D)
• 24. Ferdi Kadıoğlu (D)
• 20. James Milner (M)
• 30. Pascal Groß (M)
• 25. Diego Gómez (M)
• 13. Jack Hinshelwood (M)
• 11. Yankuba Minteh (M)
• 18. Danny Welbeck (F)

Substitutes:

• 23. Jason Steele
• 21. Olivier Boscagli
• 29. Maxim De Cuyper
• 34. Joël Veltman
• 10. Georginio Rutter
• 17. Carlos Baleba
• 22. Kaoru Mitoma
• 26. Yasin Ayari
• 19. Charalampos Kostoulas

Liverpool

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachArne Slot

Starting lineup:

• 25. Giorgi Mamardashvili (G)
• 30. Jeremie Frimpong (D)
• 5. Ibrahima Konaté (D)
• 4. Virgil van Dijk (D)
• 6. Miloš Kerkez (D)
• 38. Ryan Gravenberch (M)
• 10. Alexis Mac Allister (M)
• 7. Florian Wirtz (M)
• 8. Dominik Szoboszlai (M)
• 18. Cody Gakpo (M)
• 22. Hugo Ekitiké (F)

Substitutes:

• 28. Freddie Woodman
• 2. Joe Gomez
• 26. Andrew Robertson
• 47. Calvin Ramsay
• 17. Curtis Jones
• 42. Trey Nyoni
• 68. Kieran Morrison
• 14. Federico Chiesa
• 73. Rio Ngumoha