Liverpool host Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, looking to keep one of their two hopes of silverware alive.
Liverpool vs. Brighton
FA Cup Fourth Round | Anfield
February 14, 2026 | 8pm (GMT)
The Reds trade Premier League duties for FA Cup action this weekend, aiming to seal a place in the fifth round.
It is another big game for Arne Slot, who will know that staying in the trophy hunt will only aid his chances of keeping his job.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of Liverpool vs. Brighton.
1. The FA Cup Liverpool’s best chance of a trophy?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's goalscorer Hugo Ekitike celebrates after the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It has been a season to forget for Liverpool, but that doesn’t mean that all hope is lost when it comes to trophies.
In fact, FA Cup glory arguably feels more likely than a seventh European Cup triumph, so Slot will know the importance of the game.
Wednesday’s dogged 1-0 win away to Sunderland should act as a boost going into the match, with Liverpool favourites to progress.
If Liverpool progress, the fifth round draw will take place on Monday evening.
2. Brighton on a poor run of form ahead of cup tie
Opponent Score Result
Aston Villa (A) 1 – 0 L
Crystal Palace (H) 0 – 1 L
Everton (H) 1 – 1 D
Fulham (A) 2 – 1 L
Bournemouth (H) 1 – 1 D
Brighton have caused Liverpool plenty of problems down the years, but they head to Anfield in poor form.
The Seagulls suffered a damaging 1-0 defeat at home to bitter rivals Crystal Palace last weekend, and lost away to Aston Villa by the same scoreline on Wednesday.
It means Brighton haven’t won any of their last five matches, with their most recent victory a 2-1 triumph at Man United in the FA Cup third round.
Still, they are a dangerous team not to be taken lightly.
3. Liverpool team news: Wataru Endo latest
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Milos Kerkez (R) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Thankfully, Liverpool have Player of the Season Dominik Szoboszlai back on Saturday after he served a one-match suspension in midweek.
The Reds are still horribly short of options at right-back, however, not helped by the serious injury suffered by Wataru Endo at Sunderland.
Slot has confirmed that it is “clear and obvious” that a lengthy spell out awaits Endo, with scans ongoing.
Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are also unavailable, while Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak are long-term absentees.
Joe Gomez is available for the tie but will be suspended for the fifth round if he picks up a yellow card and the Reds progress.
4. Predicted Liverpool starting XI vs. Brighton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mates Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This isn’t a Liverpool squad brimming with depth this season, though Slot did admit he had a sleepless night weighing up his selection choices with this the third game in seven days.
Milos Kerkez feels likely to come back in for Andy Robertson at left-back, while Gomez may hope for minutes at right-back to free Szoboszlai up in midfield.
Curtis Jones is another who could come into the midfield at the expense of Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister.
Cody Gakpo‘s form continues to frustrate, so it would be nice to see Rio Ngumoha given an opportunity, while Giorgi Mamardashvili is likely to replace Alisson.
Possible Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike
5. How could Brighton line-up vs. Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 24, 2025: Brighton & Hove Albion's Jan Paul van Hecke during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Bramley-Moore Dock. Everton won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Brighton also had midweek commitments, so Fabian Hurzeler may choose to freshen up his starting XI.
Rumoured Liverpool transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke is an influential centre-back who is likely to start, while veteran striker Danny Welbeck should lead the line.
Former Liverpool favourite James Milner will hope to feature, having gone level with Gareth Barry as the Premier League‘s record appearance-maker on Wednesday.
Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March, Yasin Abbas Ayari and Mats Wieffer are all sidelined for Brighton.
Possible Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross, Hinshelwood; Gomez, Mitoma, Welbeck
6. Liverpool 3-3 Brighton in FA Cup meetings
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 29, 2023: Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister (R) and Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic during the FA Cup 4th Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the Falmer Stadium. Brighton won 2-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This is the seventh time that Liverpool and Brighton have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup – they have progressed three times apiece.
The first meeting came way back in 1908, with the Reds prevailing in a second-round replay.
Brighton then knocked out Liverpool in both 1983 and 1984, winning 2-1 at Anfield in the fifth round and 2-0 on the south coast in round four.
Liverpool went through in 1991 in the fourth round and won 6-1 at home in the fifth round in 2012, with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez among the goalscorers.
Brighton progressed in the last FA Cup tie between the two sides in 2023, with Alexis Mac Allister facing his future club in a 2-1 victory at the Amex Stadium.
7. Arne Slot admits difficulty with team selection
Speaking to the media, Slot admitted to having sleepless nights about what the right XI to face Brighton is:
“Yesterday it took me a long, long time before I could fall asleep.
“Because I was constantly considering what options I have for the lineup or what I should do.
“Do you play the same players again or is this the moment for the others? And which others? Which positions?
“So I need another 24 hours to decide on the lineup.”
8. No VAR in FA Cup this weekend
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 8, 2026: Liverpool and Manchester City players surround referee Craig Pawson who is awaiting a VAR review of the goal, which was later disallowed for a foul in the build up, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A reminder that there is NO VAR for the weekend action.
That actually feels quite nice, doesn’t it?
It isn’t used in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup this season, but will then be introduced in the fifth round and beyond.
9. Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. Brighton?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 6, 2023: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta is shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Attwell during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium. Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Stuart Attwell will referee Saturday’s match, in his third Liverpool outing of the season.
He has taken charge of the Reds’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa and the 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League this season, both at Anfield.
Attwell’s assistants are Constantine Hatzidakis – he may hope Robertson doesn’t start! – and Lee Betts, while Adam Herczeg is the fourth official.
No pressure without VAR to save you, lads!
10. How to watch Liverpool vs. Brighton
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Wednesday February 11, 2026.
Liverpool vs. Brighton is live on TNT Sports 1 from 7pm (GMT) – kick-off is at 8pm.
Harry McMullen is in the chair for This Is Anfield‘s matchday live blog, keeping you company from 7.15pm.
Come on you Reds!