Premier League: Pivotal Permutations in Place at Anfield

Liverpool vs Brighton Hove & Albion

For the first time in a long time there is a genuine three horse title race in the Premier League and Easter marks the beginning of its climax.

Liverpool currently are in second place in the table, trailing Arsenal only on goal difference with both clubs one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City.

And with third meeting first this weekend, the Merseysiders know at least one of them will drop points which makes a maximum haul for them at home to recent bogey team Brighton imperative.

Based on recent games between these two, we could be all set for some egg-citing (sorry I couldn’t resist) Premier League highlights.

Talking Points

Now given injuries have spoiled Brighton’s campaign, coupled with recent form, most people would expect a home win.

That increases when it appears that Curtis Jones and Ibrahima Konate are set to return to the squad.

The only bright news for the visitors is that ex-Liverpool veteran James Milner and Joao Pedro could be back along with on-loan Barcelona man Ansu Fati.

Should he be fit, he may compete with prodigious youngster Evan Ferguson and Danny Welbeck to start up front.

The home side have been on a fine run and have only lost twice in the league all season so far – on both occasions in North London away to Spurs and Arsenal.

Brighton have struggled to match the consistency they showed last term, although that is understandable given their injury absentees and that they sold a number of other key men last summer in Alexis Mac Allister (to Liverpool) and Moises Caciedo (to Chelsea).

Brighton & Hove Albion will be looking to secure a win in the Premier League when they face Liverpool — Brighton Hove manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates at the end of the Premier League match against Crystal Palace

Despite this, they still have a chance of sealing a second successive European berth and are currently in eighth spot. Indeed, should they win their game in hand, they would climb to seventh which, as it stands, would be enough to qualify for Europe again.

Liverpool are almost certain to be in the Champions League next term after missing out last time. Their priority, though, is to finish in top spot before manager Jurgen Klopp departs at the end of the season.

His opposite number on Easter Day, Roberto De Zerbi, has been tipped as a possible successor, and he has certainly made his mark during 18 months on the south coast.

For example, he was an integral reason why Barcelona were persuaded to loan them Fati for the season.

The club’s burgeoning ability to improve youngsters has clearly made players – and clubs – sit up and take notice. Sunday would be an ideal time to get Fati firing again as Brighton seek to make more history.

History

When these sides met earlier in the season, they produced a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Lewis Dunk grabbed an equaliser 12 minutes from time to earn the Seagulls a deserved draw after a quickfire Mohamed Salah double had overturned an opener from Simon Adingra.

That meant the Seagulls extended their hoodoo over the Merseysiders to four games.

That was because they defeated them twice at home in the matter of a few weeks last season.

A super second half showing at the Amex shocked Liverpool as Solly March scored twice in six minutes early in the second half before Welbeck applied the coup de grace in a 3-0 victory.

Another sweet moment for the Seagulls followed just a fortnight later as Dunk equalised an opener from Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott and then joined in the celebrations as Karu Mitoma showed great footwork in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 FA Cup fourth round win.

The corresponding fixture at Anfield last season proved to be De Zerbi’s first match in charge after succeeding Graham Potter and was an absolute thriller.

It was also a day to treasure for Leandro Trossard (now of Arsenal) whose hat-trick at Anfield, including an 83^rd minute equaliser, earned the Seagulls a 3-3 draw.

Roberto Firmino had netted twice for the hosts.

Two seasons ago they also managed a point at Anfield as they fought back from 2-0 down to claim a draw through Enock Mwepu and that man Trossard.

Since their very first meeting in 1908 – an FA Cup tie which finished 1-1 at Anfield (the Merseysiders won the second round replay 3-0) – Liverpool had predominantly dominated the fixture with 20 wins compared to seven Brighton successes and 12 draws.