Premier League champions Liverpool head to the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night to face 15th-placed Brighton. The Reds are just 12 points away from breaking Manchester City’s Premier League points record. With 15 points left to play for, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be aiming to set the new mark.
Brighton are nine points above 18th-placed Aston Villa heading into matchday 34. Although the Seagulls don’t have the same urgency to win as last week against Norwich City, a loss and results going against them elsewhere could pull them closer to the bottom three.
In five all-time Premier League matches, Liverpool are unbeaten having won all five times against Brighton. The Reds have outscored Brighton 13-2 over the course of the five games. On three occasions, Liverpool won to nil.
The Reds were victorious at Anfield earlier this season thanks to a brace of headed goals from Virgil van Dijk. Alisson Becker’s 78th-minute sending off made the game interesting as Lewis Dunk scored a 79th-minute free-kick to create a nervy ending. The Reds held on for a 2-1 victory.
Remarkably, the Premier League champions are winless in four straight away games in all competitions with three finishing in losses. All four of those games saw Liverpool fail to score a single goal.
In spite of the poor recent form on the road, Liverpool have posted the most road points in the league with 38 from 48 possible. Just 13 goals have been allowed by Liverpool’s defence while 26 were scored.
Liverpool did labour to their victory against Aston Villa at Anfield on matchday 33. Jurgen Klopp rotated his side but the players that came in failed to make an impact. Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Roberto Firmino all came on in the second half to turn the game in Liverpool’s favour.
Klopp could be without full-back Andrew Robertson due to a calf injury. Neco Williams could fill in at left-back as James Milner is only considered 50% fit. Centre-back Dejan Lovren is working his way back to fitness, but like Joel Matip should miss out on the fixture.
Graham Potter only has two injury issues at the Amex Stadium. Steve Alzate is likely to miss out on the fixture due to a groin issue. Jose Izquierdo is a long-term absentee and won’t play the game.
Three of the last five games between Brighton and Liverpool finished with over 2.5 goals scored. Two of those games also saw both teams score goals. With Liverpool’s issues on the road recently, they should concede a goal to Brighton.
Expect both teams to find the back of the net, over 2.5 goals scored, and Liverpool to claim another win.