Liverpool have a particularly poor record against Brighton in recent years.
The Reds haven’t tasted victory against the Seagulls in any of their last four meetings, while suffering two agonising defeats at the Amex Stadium last campaign.
Unfortunately, Jurgen Klopp’s side can’t afford any more slip-ups this season as the Premier League title race heads down to the wire, with Liverpool needing to take advantage of dropped points when Arsenal travel to Manchester City this weekend.
Therefore, a win is essential for the Reds, and Klopp will have to put special plans in place to stop some of Brighton’s star performers.
Here are three Brighton players that Liverpool must be wary of on Sunday.
Simon Adingra proved a thorn in Liverpool’s side when they visited Brighton earlier this term, with the Ivorian taking advantage of some sloppy defensive play from the Reds to give the Seagulls the lead at the Amex.
It was a smart finish from the winger, who usually takes residence on the right flank, and he will be relishing another chance to have a go at Liverpool’s backline on Sunday.
The 22-year-old is blessed with fantastic pace and is willing to take his marker on – ranking in the top 20% of Premier League wingers for take-ons attempted and successful take-ons per 90 this season.
Adingra has also shown he has an eye for goal and not only against Liverpool. Only Joao Pedro (8) has more than his six strikes in the league.
With Andy Robertson potentially sidelined on Sunday due to injury, Adingra will put either Kostas Tsimikas or Joe Gomez to the test at Anfield.
Pascal Gross was recently handed his first ever senior Germany call-up and it was well deserved based on his recent displays.
The midfielder was also nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for February and he now has four goals and ten assists in the English top flight this term.
He leads the way for goal involvements, big chances created, overall chances created and expected assists for Brighton in the league, with the German the chief orchestrator for his team in central areas.
He is a menace from dead-ball situations and has a phenomenal left foot, something he has exhibited with concerning regularity this season.
The likes of Wataru Endo and Gross’ former teammate Alexis Mac Allister will have to stifle his creativity on Sunday.
Joao Pedro is likely to be fit for the trip to Anfield having been absent for the Seagulls since February, with the Brazilian recently returning to training.
Unfortunately, that’s not great news for Liverpool given the brilliant form the striker has been in this season, with 19 goals to his name during his debut campaign on the south coast.
While only eight have come in the Premier League, the 22-year-old has been a handful for defenders both domestically and on the continent this term, with Pedro’s speed and clever movement making him a tricky customer.
The Seagulls also have the talented Evan Ferguson in reserve, a striker more than capable of testing his international teammate Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
Both forwards will keep Virgil van Dijk and either Jarell Quansah or Ibrahima Konate busy.
