Liverpool v Brighton: Back a narrow win for Klopp's men

Liverpool v Brighton: Back a narrow win for Klopp's men

Liverpool have started winning again, but with Brighton's defence having tightened up, Dan Fitch thinks that Jurgen Klopp's team are in for a tough match on Wednesday.

Liverpool 1.37 v Brighton 10.0; The Draw 5.7
Wednesday 3 February, 20:15
Live on BT Sport 1

Salah inspires Liverpool

Liverpool have rediscovered some form in the last week and will be looking to build upon that when they host Brighton on Wednesday.

The defending champions ended a run of five Premier League games without a win (W3 D2) last Thursday, when they won 3-1 at Spurs. It was a game in which their opponents made it easy for Liverpool by conceding possession and with some extremely charitable defending. Liverpool made the most of the opportunity and visibly grew in confidence as the game went on.

West Ham provided more of a test and it took two moments of brilliance from Mohamed Salah for Liverpool to take control of a game that they eventually won 3-1. Salah's brace marked the first time that the Egyptian had scored in the Premier League since the 7-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace back in December and with Liverpool's defence still ravaged by injury, it's crucial that their attackers continue to deliver.

Liverpool are still without central defensive options such as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Fabinho. In addition, Naby Keita and Diogo Jota will definitely miss this match with injury, while Sadio Mane is a doubt after being unable to play against West Ham.

Brighton enjoy best result of their season

Brighton are finally starting to claim the points that their performances have earned this season.

A familiar story for the Seagulls has been for them to play well, create enough chances to win games, yet go home with nothing. The lack of a consistent scorer and some defensive frailties, has meant that Brighton's attractive attacking football has generally been unrewarded, but that's changed over the past couple of weeks.

Brighton are now unbeaten in four across all competitions (W3 D1), with Graham Potter's side having not conceded a goal in the three Premier League games within that run. At the weekend they pulled off their best result of the season when they defeated Spurs at home. Not only did Brighton completely outplay a more talented team, but they also ended a sequence of 14 home Premier League games without a win, which stretched back into last season (D7 L7).

The win over Tottenham saw Brighton without a number of players who also look set to miss the trip to Liverpool. Tariq Lamptey, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Florin Andone and Danny Welbeck are all injured.

Brighton defence is tough to breach

Liverpool are the 1.37 favourites, with the draw at 5.8 and a Brighton victory at 1.37.

It's really too early to say if Liverpool have recovered from their recent blip, so their price looks a little short. The key to finding some value in the home win could come from Brighton's recent defensive record.

As mentioned, Brighton have kept clean sheets in each of their last three Premier League games. In the match prior to that they only lost 1-0 away at Manchester City. A home win and under 2.5 goals is 3.8, or if you want to be more cautious, go for a Liverpool victory and under 3.5 goals at 2.2.

Salah can start another streak

Salah's goals against West Ham were his first in six Premier League games. Despite this relative drought, Salah is the Premier League's top scorer with 15 goals.

Prior to the goals drying up Salah had scored in four consecutive games and it would be no surprise if he went on another streak. Salah is 1.76 to find the net.