Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool – squad updates, prediction and lineups 

Brighton & Hove Albion faces Liverpool in the fourth round of the EFL Cup at the Amex on Wednesday evening, just days before they meet again in the Premier League.

Liverpool began their title defense impressively with a 5-1 victory over West Ham United in round three, while Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton edged a thrilling 5-2 match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Match preview
As Liverpool pursued their last trophy during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, they taught West Ham a lesson with a 5-1 win in the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Arne Slot’s side remarkably mirrored that performance just over nine months later.

Historically, the omens favor a team that has not lost an EFL Cup match since December 2022, with that 5-1 victory marking the third of eight consecutive wins for the reigning champions across all competitions, as Slot reshapes history.

However, Liverpool’s perfect away record under the Dutchman ended on Sunday with a gripping 2-2 draw against Arsenal, where they fought back from behind twice, feeling more like one point gained than two lost.

The draw means Liverpool has relinquished first place in the Premier League to Manchester City, but there is only a one-point difference between the teams. For now, league matters are secondary as Liverpool looks to break an unusual trend.

The Reds have exited the fourth round before winning the EFL Cup in the last four seasons—losing at this stage in 2020-21 and 2022-23, flanked by victories in 2021-22 and 2023-24. Meanwhile, Brighton endured a less favorable four-goal draw over the weekend.

While Liverpool fans likely left the Emirates happier, Brighton supporters were left stunned as Wolverhampton snatched a late equalizer. Despite Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson’s efforts, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha’s injury-time goals salvaged a point for Wolves.

This dramatic draw allowed Wolves to partially avenge their earlier narrow loss to Brighton in the EFL Cup third round, where Hurzeler’s team won 3-2 on September 18, securing their place in the last 16 for the fourth time in five seasons.

Brighton, however, seeks to break a poor record in the EFL Cup, having lost their last five fourth-round matches, including three straight from 2020-21 to 2022-23, and they haven’t advanced past this stage since the 1978-79 quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Brighton’s commendable Amex record against Liverpool may boost their chances, as they have remained unbeaten in their last three home encounters with the Reds, including a 2-1 FA Cup win in January 2023. Nonetheless, Liverpool emerged victorious 2-1 at Anfield in their last meeting in March 2024.

Team News

Liverpool’s injury situation remains mostly unchanged, with Harvey Elliott (foot), Alisson Becker (hamstring), and Diogo Jota (abdominal) continuing to be unavailable. Federico Chiesa (fitness) and Conor Bradley (unspecified) are both doubtful.

Chiesa and Bradley were likely candidates for a starting role, but Slot can opt for Joe Gomez at right-back instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold if he feels the latter needs a rest. Wataru Endo and Jarell Quansah may also see rare starts in the lineup, while fresh legs from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo could be beneficial; Szoboszlai lost his place to Curtis Jones in the advanced midfield role against Arsenal.

On the Brighton side, fans were likely relieved to see Danny Welbeck declared fit to start against Wolves, especially after he was stretchered off with a back injury during the win over Newcastle United just a week prior.

Welbeck’s presence is crucial as Leeds United loanee Georginio Rutter is cup-tied and Joao Pedro remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Solly March (knee), Yankuba Minteh (muscle), Matt O’Riley (ankle), Adam Webster (thigh), and former Liverpool player James Milner (thigh) are also on the injury list.

Brighton is additionally concerned about the fitness of captain Lewis Dunk, who sustained a calf injury during warm-ups on Saturday, and Jack Hinshelwood, who missed the squad due to a minor issue.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Adingra, Baleba, Wieffer, Mitoma; Enciso, Ferguson

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez

Prediction: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Liverpool
Slot noted that Arsenal had an extra day to recover from their Champions League match before the recent draw, and Brighton will be in a similar position on Wednesday. Although Brighton often scores at home, Liverpool has become adept at winning away during Slot’s brief tenure. The Reds should remain on track for consecutive EFL Cup titles, even if Wednesday’s victory isn’t as decisive as their fans might hope.