Liverpool vs. Brighton: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Liverpool can confirm qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League by beating Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Reds are fourth and two points clear of Chelsea, but they need a win to make absolutely sure, despite a vastly superior goal difference. Fortunately for Liverpool, Brighton are already safe, having secured their top-flight status for another season thanks to a recent 1-0 win over Manchester United.
Liverpool will need to remain focused, though, despite the looming spectacle of a Champions League final against holders Real Madrid in Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday, May 26.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Here are the schedule and viewing details for the Reds' final league game of the campaign:
Date: Sunday, May 13
Time: 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET
TV Info: Sky Sports Main Event, NBC
Live Stream: Sky Go, NBC Sports App, fubo Premier
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has injury concerns, with defender Joe Gomez joining centre-back Joel Matip and midfield pair Emre Can and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the injured list, per the Guardian.
However, playmaker Adam Lallana could return to full fitness in time to feature, according to Sky Sports. Having Lallana back would let Klopp rotate his options somewhat with facing Real in mind.
The bigger question should be whether Klopp ought to risk star forward Mohamed Salah. He has a three-goal lead over Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot, but Salah has looked slightly off form in recent weeks, failing to score in his last three matches.
Klopp could turn to Danny Ings or Dominic Solanke if he feels like giving Salah a well-deserved rest. Yet it would be a risk against a Brighton defence led by the formidable centre-back pairing of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.
Brighton's biggest threat will come from midfield schemer Pascal Gross, who has scored seven goals and provided eight assists in the league.
The 26-year-old, who netted the winner against United, has the ability to keep the lines of supply to prolific striker Glenn Murray and tricky winger Jose Izquierdo open for the visitors.
If the Seagulls can keep things tight for an hour or so, they have the players to snatch a goal on the break. Even so, Liverpool have all the motivation they need to make early pressure count and offset the potential damage done if they can't beat Real in Kiev.
