The international break gave Liverpool a chance to clear their heads after a careless FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, as well as to welcome back players from injury.
Jurgen Klopp’s team host Brighton shortly before Man City and Arsenal meet at the Etihad, and Liverpool know three points are a must given one or both of their title rivals are bound to drop points.
Liverpool are in a similar position to Arsenal a few weeks ago when they hosted Brentford before Liverpool vs City, and they required a late header from Kai Havertz to get the win. Maintaining focus and not taking the victory for granted is not always straightforward.
Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate all trained this week, while the ankle injury sustained by Andy Robertson on international duty is not as bad as first feared. Diogo Jota, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still a few weeks away.
Liverpool have won just one of the last seven Premier League games against Brighton, with the south coast club unbeaten on their last three league visits to Anfield. Despite the loss of first-choice wingers Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma, Brighton remain a dangerous attacking force but have been fragile defensively this season. They too have had a lengthy injury list, but James Milner and Joao Pedro return with Billy Gilmour back from suspension.
Roberto De Zerbi has been mooted as a potential successor to Klopp at Anfield, and his chances of landing the job may well have been enhanced by Xabi Alonso’s decision to remain at Bayer Leverkusen. Speaking before this match, De Zerbi implied that he has his doubts about committing to Brighton for the long-term amid reports that he is unhappy with the club’s lack of transfer activity. De Zerbi would certainly bring exciting football to Anfield, although whether his all or nothing approach would suit a team with title aspirations is an open question.
Full team news on the way shortly.