Liverpool switch their focus to the Emirates FA Cup as they host Brighton & Hove Albion in a high-stakes fourth-round clash at Anfield this Saturday. Here is your match Preview ahead of the big game.
While the tie falls on Valentine’s Day, there has been little love lost between these two sides in recent seasons. Liverpool enter the fixture looking to build momentum after a gritty, much-needed 1-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland in midweek, where a Virgil van Dijk header ended the Black Cats’ unbeaten home record.
For Brighton, the FA Cup represents a vital escape from a stuttering league campaign. Following a heartbreaking late defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday, However, the Seagulls have proven to be a “giant-killer” in this competition already, having dispatched Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash
How to watch
The fixture will kick-off at 8:00 pm GMT on Saturday, February 14.
Viewers in the UK can tune in live via TNT Sports.
Livestream: TNT Sports subscribers can also watch the game live online. You can use the Sky Go app or Discovery+ app and website.
Recent Form
Liverpool:
Arne Slot’s men come into this game fresh from a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light. Virgil Van Dijk’s header was enough to secure three points as the Reds ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home record in the Premier League.
However, despite an improved result, Liverpool were hardly tested by a tired-looking Sunderland side, and were far from their fluid best themselves, failing to capitalise on a host of opportunities against the Black Cats.
The Reds form this season has been quite inconsistent however, their 2-0 league victory over Brighton back in December will certainly give them some confidence in reaching the next round.
Indeed, Liverpool have won four of their last five matches against Brighton in all competitions (L1).
Although there’s nothing to separate the two teams in previous FA Cup meetings, with both sides winning three apiece.
The Seagulls triumphed in their most recent FA Cup meeting back in January 2023. That was at the Amex though, and the Reds will be hoping for a repeat of their last home tie against Brighton a 6-1 thrashing back in February 2012.
| Category | Liverpool | Brighton |
| FA Cup Wins (All-Time) | 3 | 3 |
| Last 5 Meetings (All Comps) | 4 Wins | 1 Win |
| Last Meeting (Dec 2025) | 2-0 Win (Premier League) | 0-2 Loss |
| Last FA Cup Meeting (Jan 2023) | 1-2 Loss (Away) | 2-1 Win (Home) |
| Last Anfield FA Cup Tie (Feb 2012) | 6-1 Win | 1-6 Loss |
| Current League Form | W-L-D-W-L | L-L-D-D-L |
Fabian Hurzeler’s side head into the clash off the back of a late sucker punch against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Seagulls looked to have secured a point at Villa Park until a late Jack Hinshelwood own goal saw the visitors leave empty-handed.
Brighton have failed to live up to the promise shown in recent seasons and are without a win in their last five games in all competitions. In fact, the last time they tasted success was in their FA Cup third round win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Given their fortunes in the Premier League this season, Brighton will be looking to cement their place in the history books with yet another FA Cup scalp.
Victory over the Reds will see Brighton become the first side to knock both United and Liverpool out of the FA Cup since Wolves in 2018/19 season and the first to do so whilst playing away in both games.
Liverpool: W L W W L W
Brighton: W D L D L L
Team News
Liverpool: Wataru Endo,(out) Jeremie Frimpong (out), Conor Bradley (out), Alexander Isak (out) and Giovanni Leoni (out).
Brighton Hove Albion: Adam Webster (out), Stefanos Tzimas (out) and Solly March (out)
Predicted Xl’s
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Chiesa
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Boscagli, De Cuyper; Milner, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck
Managers have their say
Arne Slot (Liverpool):
After confirming the severity of Waturo Endo’s recent injury against Sunderland, Arne Slot has admitted he has a few selection headaches ahead of the clash.
“Yesterday evening it took me a long, long time before I could fall into sleep”, said Slot. “I was constantly considering what options I have for the line-up and what I should do, because indeed, do you play the same players again or the others?
“Is this a moment for the others? But which others and in which position? So, I need another 24 hours to decide on the line-up.”
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton):
Fabian Hurzeler has delivered a rallying cry to the Brighton supporters as he aims to halt their slump in form and spark another FA Cup upset.
“The results we need is a win, definitely”, said Hurzeler. “The club and all the supporters there were waiting for this one result.
“We all keep fighting for this. We try to commit to this and we are all convinced that, if we keep doing the things we did yesterday, if we keep having these performances we had yesterday, then we are all convinced that we will get the results we all need and deserve.”
