Brighton will provide another stern test for Liverpool this weekend, but is the Seagulls’ season in danger of petering out?
The Reds thrashed Galatasaray 4-0 in style in midweek, giving Arne Slot and his team a much-needed confidence boost.
Next up is a trip to Brighton on Saturday lunchtime, with victory essential in the battle for Champions League qualification.
For the Reds, they will be hoping to face a Seagulls team quite literally on the beach, though the Seagulls have won three of their last four Premier League games.
With kick-off getting closer, we spoke to Brighton supporter and football finance guru Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) to preview the action on the south coast.
How would you rate Brighton’s season out of 10?
James Milner Brighton (Cody Froggatt/PA)
I would go six out of 10.
There have been some good results – beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, four points from Man City, winning in the FA Cup at Old Trafford – but the performances and levels of excitement have been fairly forgettable.
A lot of clubs cancel each other out in the Premier League at present, and there are not many memorable moments.
Last time we spoke, you said some fans were happy to see Fabian Hurzeler leave. Is that still the case?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 2, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's head coach Fabian Hürzeler during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A month ago, the vast majority wanted Fabian Hurzeler out, based on polls on the fan message board.
But that has reversed itself following three wins out of four games and an unlucky defeat against Arsenal.
There is too much focus on very short-term success and failure for the manager, in my view.
He is the conductor of the orchestra, but he can’t be responsible if someone plays a few bum notes.
Which three players have impressed most for Brighton? Who has flopped?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike (L) is challenged by Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ferdi Kadioglu is starting to look like the player who impressed at Euro 2024 – he’s not as good as Marc Cucurella, but has some similar qualities.
He gets up and down the wing a lot, in the style of an overlapping full-back, and plays with his socks down, which is great if you like nostalgia-style players.
Bart Verbruggen has improved as a goalkeeper – good distribution, solid shot stopper, and has stopped making the odd mistake.
Mats Wieffer, who played under Arne Slot in the Netherlands, has taken the right-back position, even though he is more of a central midfield player, where he would prefer to be.
He gets into attacking positions a lot, but isn’t the fastest, so he is vulnerable against a speedy winger.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 2, 2024: Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On the negative side, Carlos Baleba is a shadow of the player of 2024/25.
He has had some personal issues to deal with, which have affected his concentration and fitness levels, and he has recently been dropped for James Milner.
Kaoru Mitoma has also been off the pace. Injuries have not helped, but he seems slower and less direct than last season, and as a consequence, he has scored fewer goals and isn’t getting the crowd as excited.
The two Greek lads, Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas, who cost £50 million between them, have not delivered.
Could you see Jan Paul van Hecke being a good signing for 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)
Yes. Jan Paul van Hecke is strong, good on the ball, can play those quarterback balls from defence to the wings, and is very brave.
The only downside is that he perhaps lacks the pace of a world-class defender.
He is almost certain to leave in the summer, as he is out of contract in 2027, and is showing no sign of extending his deal.
How do you rate Liverpool’s season? Would you keep Arne Slot?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It’s been a tough season. The team looks unbalanced, some players are out of form, and I’m not quite sure where the goals are coming from.
I teach for the League Managers’ Association, so will always defend the role of the coach. They are convenient scapegoats, and very few of them are visionary.
Change for the sake of change is not the same as improvement, and that is what all Liverpool fans want, which is understandable.
A good run in the Champions League could change a lot of views on Slot.
Where do you predict both teams will finish this season?
I still think Liverpool can make fourth place.
Aston Villa are looking a bit leggy and Chelsea are inconsistent, so the opportunity is there.
As for Brighton, probably 10th or 11th, which will feel like a lost opportunity, given that it is a poor Premier League season.
Looking ahead to Saturday, where will the key battles take place?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Centre midfield. Brighton have no pace there, but are very tidy, if predictable.
Meanwhile, if Liverpool play someone out wide on their left who is fast, then Wieffer will have a problem.
Finally, what’s your prediction?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by touching the badge after scoring the fourth (and 50th European) goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Brighton 1-2 Liverpool.