Liverpool must build on an encouraging midweek victory when they visit Brighton in the Premier League. Here’s everything you need to know.
Brighton vs. Liverpool
Premier League (31) | Amex Stadium
March 21, 2026 | 12.30pm (GMT)
The Reds produced an excellent performance to beat Galatasaray 4-0 on Wednesday, making it into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool’s win has hopefully breathed fresh life into a tough season, but the weekend trip to Brighton could be a tougher assignment.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match.
Liverpool HAVE to build on big victory
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)
As mentioned, Liverpool performed like the Reds of old against Galatasaray, playing with far more pace and imagination.
The key now is that it doesn’t prove to be a one-off, with Slot’s side reverting to the stodgy football that has plagued them all season.
Slot looked reinvigorated at Anfield, which can only bode well, but this match feels just as important as any European assignment.
Win convincingly, and it will feel like Liverpool are on the up; lose, and it will be back to square one.
Brighton in good form ahead of Liverpool visit
Brighton have been among the lesser-noticed Premier League teams this season, rarely threatening to qualify for Europe or be dragged into the relegation fight.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side go into the weekend visit of Liverpool in good form, though, winning three of their last four league outings.
The Seagulls are 12th in the table, but they are better than that.
Who is injured for Liverpool vs. Brighton?
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)
Mohamed Salah was forced off late on the win over Galatasaray and he is out of the weekend action at the Amex Stadium.
Joe Gomez also isn’t fit enough to start, but could potentially make the matchday squad.
There are no other fresh injury concerns for Slot, with Alexander Isak edging towards a return later in the spring.
Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo remain long-term absentees, while youngster Jayden Danns is out with a hamstring issue.
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Brighton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. Back row (L-R): goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Hugo Ekitike. captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Ryan Gravenberch. Dominik Szoboszlai. Front row (L-R): Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
This is Liverpool’s last game before the March international break, so Slot should go as strong as possible.
In fact, the Reds’ next fixture isn’t until Saturday, April 4 (12.45pm GMT), when they make the trip to Man City in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Slot could name 10 of the same starting XI that coasted to victory in midweek, barring Salah, with everyone performing well.
That said, the likes of Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha will hope to force their way in.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Brighton Predicted XI 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)
Unlike Liverpool, Brighton have had all week to prepare, so they should be nicely rested.
Hurzeler could name an unchanged lineup from the 1-0 win at Sunderland last weekend, meaning Reds legend James Milner will start.
The 40-year-old now holds the all-time appearance record in the Premier League (656), which is a remarkable achievement.
Rumoured Liverpool target Jan Paul van Hecke is a key man in defence, but Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster are out, while Kaoru Mitoma is a doubt.
Possible Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Ayari, Baleba; Gomez, Gross, Minteh; Welbeck.
What did Arne Slot say in his press conference?
Speaking on Friday, Slot admitted Liverpool’s fixture schedule isn’t ideal:
“I don’t mind at all playing 12.30pm because we usually train around then. So if we could not perform at that time, it is stupid to train at that time.
“I don’t mind it all, but I do mind Sunday evening 6.20pm when we finished vs. Spurs and then another game that could have gone to extra-time, and then 12.30pm for a sixth or seventh time this season.
“That is not what I prefer as a manager.”
Liverpool’s record away at Brighton
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Football League Cup 4th Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool have had mixed fortunes at the Amex, with some sticky occasions thrown in.
The Seagulls won 3-2 there last season, but Slot’s men were already champions, and they beat them in the Premier League and FA Cup in the space of three weeks in January 2023.
Liverpool’s last win away to Brighton in the league was in March 2022, when goals from Luis Diaz and Salah (penalty) kept their quadruple hopes alive.
They also won 3-2 there in the Carabao Cup fourth round last term, thanks in part to a Gakpo brace.
Did you know?
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Incredibly, Liverpool have only scored once before the 45th minute away from home all season in the league.
That was Ryan Gravenberch‘s long-range strike away to Newcastle in August!
That’s 14 out of 15 matches where they have drawn a blank before then, with Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez scoring in first-half stoppage time at Bournemouth and Brentford, respectively.
Here’s hoping that changes on Saturday!
Who is the referee for Brighton vs. Liverpool?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, November 30, 2025: West Ham United's Lucas Paquetá is shown a red card and sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a minute for dissent by referee Darren England during the FA Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at the London Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Darren England is in charge of Saturday’s game, refereeing Liverpool for the third time in the Premier League this season.
The first was the 2-1 win at home to Everton back in September, before showing Lucas Paqueta a red card in the Reds’ 2-0 victory at West Ham.
England’s assistants are Scott Ledger and Akil Howson, while Tim Robinson is the fourth official.
James Bell is assisted by Adrian Holmes in the VAR booth.
How to follow and watch Brighton vs. Liverpool
Brighton vs. Liverpool is live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK from 11am (GMT) on Saturday, with the game getting underway at 12.30pm.
Harry McMullen will be running This Is Anfield‘s matchday live blog from 11.45am, providing minute-by-minute updates.
Come on you Reds!