Eight-time FA Cup winners Liverpool will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday night.
The Seagulls will be looking for revenge after a 2-0 league defeat on Merseyside in mid-December. However, February has been a difficult month for Brighton, who have suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
Wednesday’s defeat at Villa Park extended their winless league run to six matches. Overall, Brighton have managed just one win in their last 13 Premier League games, and the pressure is mounting on head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
His side currently sit 14th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone and eight points behind seventh-placed Brentford, whom they face next in the league on February 21.
Hurzeler’s future has been thrown into doubt as critics question whether Brighton’s data-driven approach is backfiring. The team’s recent struggles have drawn criticism from fans and raised concerns about a potential relegation battle.
An FA Cup run could boost Brighton’s spirits, having won their last three fourth-round ties against Premier League sides. Since their 2017 promotion, they have reached the fifth round six times, behind only Man City (eight) and Man United (seven).
Despite a poor record at Anfield, Brighton have won seven of their last eight FA Cup away games, including a 2-1 win over Man United at Old Trafford. Since 2022-23, they have claimed more away victories in the competition than any other club.
The Seagulls also defeated Liverpool 2-1 at the Amex in the fourth round of the 2023 FA Cup, thanks to goals from Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma.
According to The Telegraph, Hurzeler’s position is not believed to be under immediate threat ahead of Brighton’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool, as he retains strong backing within the club.
However, there is growing speculation that the coach, who has admirers across England and Europe, may not remain in his role at the start of next season, despite his contract running until the summer of 2027.
While Hurzeler may face criticism from parts of the Brighton fanbase, the 32-year-old remains highly respected by key figures in football, both in England and abroad.
Many feel he has been unfairly made the scapegoat for Brighton’s recent struggles, raising the possibility that he could be tempted away or feel he has done all he can during his two years at the Amex Stadium
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