Despite playing less than three days ago, Arne Slot makes just the two changes from Liverpool's 4-0 win over Galatasaray. And both are enforced, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Cody Gakpo coming in for the injured Alisson and Mohamed Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai is set to start down the right in Salah's absence.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Chelsea".
Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool: key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:02 GMT 20 March
19:02 GMT 20 March
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
A Brighton and Hove Albion side that seems to have emerged from their mid-season slump hosts Liverpool at the Amex on Saturday (12:30 GMT) aiming to climb into the top half of the table for the first time since early January.
Three wins in their last four have gone some way to counteracting the Seagulls' dreadful winter form, which saw them record just one victory in 13 league games.
Minteh fresh
Yankuba Minteh was the hero last time out at Sunderland, wriggling past Granit Xhaka before slicing an unorthodox cross into the net as the home team appealed for a foul in the build-up.
The 21-year-old Gambia winger was a constant thorn in the side of the Black Cats' defence with his tricky, direct approach and got his just rewards to end a personal 20-game goal drought.
Since signing from Newcastle United in July 2024, Minteh has registered more top-flight goal involvements than any other player aged 21 and under (eight goals, eight assists).
Fabian Hurzeler's side are unbeaten in their last three at home to Liverpool (won two, drawn one) but went down 2-0 at Anfield earlier this season, in part thanks to Hugo Ekitike's opener after just 46 seconds.
While an extreme example, it does highlight how Brighton have struggled to keep it tight in the first half of games this season. They are one of just three sides, along with Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur, to have conceded more goals in the first half of games (19) than they have in the second half (17).
All not lost for Liverpool
A comprehensive win over Galatasaray on Wednesday sent Liverpool through to the last eight of the Champions League and a similar result in East Sussex on Saturday would go some way towards securing Arne Slot's side a place in Europe's elite competition again next season.
Liverpool are fifth in the table, which should be enough to merit a place through the traditional route, although of course they could qualify also by winning the current tournament.
Despite their patchy league form – four wins from 12 in 2026 – strong runs in Europe and the FA Cup mean there is still plenty for the Reds to play for.
Dominik Szoboszlai is making a strong case to be named their player of the season, although there is a school of thought that the Hungary midfielder's versatility has worked against him, as he has often been deployed at right-back because of injuries to the likes of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.
He scored from midfield against the Turkish champions and didn't let a defensive role against Tottenham Hotspur last week stop him smashing home a fourth direct free-kick of the season, taking him just one shy of the long-standing Premier League record jointly held by David Beckham and Laurent Robert.
Liverpool's undoing against Spurs was a last-minute leveller from Richarlison, which must have given the Anfield faithful a huge dose of déjà vu.
Slot's side have conceded eight goals in the 90th minute (including stoppage time) in league games this season, with only Leeds United shipping more (nine).
All eight of these goals against have caused the Reds to drop points, resulting in three draws and five defeats.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Liverpoolpublished at 18:10 GMT 20 March
18:10 GMT 20 March
Brighton have hit a bit of form but how do you know what to expect from Liverpool at the moment? They are so up and down - will they turn up this week?
Liverpool's standout player this season has been Dominik Szoboszlai, and they are probably looking to him to do something special again here.
I've mentioned before how Brighton fans are not having Fabian Hurzeler, so this run of good results as manager - they have won three of their past four games - has come at a good time.
I was at Anfield in December when Liverpool won 2-0 and Brighton should have got something out of that game. This time, Brighton will beat them.
'If I have half the career Dunk's had, then I'll be happy'published at 16:53 GMT 20 March
16:53 GMT 20 March
Image source, Getty Images
Midfielder Jack Hinshelwood said he was delighted to have signed a new contract to stay at Brighton until June 2029.
"I've loved every minute of being at this club, and now I can stay here for another three years, hopefully," he told BBC Radio Sussex.
"I think since the summer, obviously, there was talks of hopefully extending my stay. And then the season didn't probably start the way I wanted it to, with the injury and stuff, and then obviously, now I've got myself back in the team. I think it's come at a really nice time.
"I look at Lewis Dunk and Solly March as role models all the time. If I have half the career Dunk's had, then I'll be happy.
"Playing in this higher sort of role, it's been really good. If I can add some goals and assists to my game as well, that will only help the team going forward.
"I love attacking the box. I think it's only a matter of time that I find the back of the net with the positions I'm getting in."
Hurzeler on Mitoma, fan support and Liverpoolpublished at 10:41 GMT 20 March
10:41 GMT 20 March
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Liverpool at American Express Stadium (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no new injury concerns and winger Kaoru Mitoma is available for contention.
On overcoming a tricky patch: "I never stop thinking about how I can improve the team and how we can improve as a club, on the pitch and off it. I always emphasise how my team plays, they always stick together, and it's important to keep working hard and keeping standards high. We do that well."
He said the Premier League "is unpredictable" this season so they "need to play every game like it's a final" to see if they can get into the top eight.
On Liverpool, who comfortably beat Galatasaray midweek: "We all know Liverpool are still one of the best teams with incredible individual quality. They came into a flow and when Liverpool get into a flow they are dangerous for every team."
Hurzeler said "it's our responsibility" to disrupt Liverpool's flow and they can do that by being "prepared and intense".
He said his "relationship with the fans has never been closer" and he puts that down to navigating the "tough period" together.
His message to the fans for the Liverpool game: "Be as loud as possible, be behind us, be pushing, be creating an energy. We can create a place that no-one wants to go [Amex] and that will help our intensity and performance. The fans against Arsenal were on it and they influenced the game."
He acknowledged the "competition is on" for a starting place, but as a lot of his players have different attributes he believes the squad "can benefit" game-to-game.
Tuchel names England squad for March friendliespublished at 10:41 GMT 20 March
10:41 GMT 20 March
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Gossip: Premier League clubs interested in Rushworthpublished at 06:37 GMT 20 March
06:37 GMT 20 March
Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, on loan at Coventry City, is attracting interest from as many as six Premier League clubs with the 24-year-old Englishman expected to command a fee of about £20m. (Talksport), external
Which side has suffered most from Premier League injuries this season?published at 11:59 GMT 19 March
11:59 GMT 19 March
Image source, Getty Images
We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.
But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?
Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.
The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.
Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.
Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.
The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.
Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.
It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
🎧 Van Hecke on Sunderland win and Liverpool previewpublished at 07:42 GMT 18 March
07:42 GMT 18 March
Jan Paul van Hecke assesses the win at Sunderland, former Brighton defender Adam Hinshelwood discusses a new deal for his son Jack, and BBC Merseyside's Ian Kennedy previews Saturday's visit of reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
'The door to Europe is open once again'published at 09:03 GMT 17 March
09:03 GMT 17 March
Joe Sayers Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Three points. That's all that now separates us from the European places again, a gap that looked a lot wider just a few weeks ago. After a difficult run that threatened to leave us stagnant in mid-table, the mood around supporters seems to have shifted dramatically.
Three wins from the last four league games means belief is starting to creep back in, and with it, the sense that another late-season push could be on.
For much of this campaign, consistency across the league has proved difficult. Injuries, heavy fixtures, and the challenge of maintaining the high standards set in recent seasons have all played their part. But football seasons often turn on momentum, and right now we seem to have rediscovered ours at hopefully the right time.
Chances are being created again and, perhaps most importantly, the players look like they believe in what they are doing. When this starts to happen, the gap between mid-table mediocrity and the European conversation can close very quickly in this league.
The race for European football is very rarely straightforward, and several sides around us will feel they have a claim on those coveted spots. Yet we have shown just last season that we can thrive when chasing a target rather than protecting one. Being just three points away provides a clear incentive and a tangible goal heading into the closing weeks of the season.
Many, if not all of us, will know nothing is guaranteed. But after a run of results that has reignited optimism, the door to Europe is open once again. And if the Albion can keep this momentum going just a little longer, the final chapter of this season could yet become a very exciting one.
Sunderland 0-1 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:48 GMT 16 March
10:48 GMT 16 March
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Sunderland fans
Steven: Only Forest and Wolves have scored fewer goals than us in the Premier League this season. It's as simple as, if we struggle to score goals we struggle to win games.
Milo: Maybe the most frustrating defeat of the season. We ran out of ideas when Brighton went ahead despite being the better side for much of the game. Need to push through this rough patch, especially with so many injuries.
David: Defeat was a bit harsh but, equally, we didn't do enough to win what was a decent game overall. It is clear that injuries and a small squad, with players playing out of position, is taking its toll in an unforgiving league. Shame for the much improved Rigg that he didn't get his goal, but good to see Brobbey back. Xhaka and Diarra looked a bit sluggish and several others faded badly in the last 30. We as fans need to try to stay as calm as our manager is, particularly in the build up to next weekends fixture.
Mick: Need to start attacking defences down the middle and not constantly trying to whip the ball in from the right, same strategy every week. Lucky we already have 40pts, or we would be in a relegation battle.
Brighton fans
Brian: A good first half performance and well controlled in the second half. The number of goal scoring chances we are missing is still a concern, but a very welcome three points.
Mick: Another mature away performance. We are learning how to manage games. Slick passing and more energy than the opposition led to a thoroughly deserved, narrow win. The back four were excellent against a tough but disorganised attack. A few more games like this and we can start to dream again...
Fran: Played well but if we could take our chances we would so much higher in the league. Great to get to the 40 points . I just think if we want to challenge for Europe we need to sign a proven experienced goal scorer who knows where the goal is.
Tim: Another much better performance. There were some glaring errors, especially Dunk's pass out from the back that was intercepted. But all in all we were a lot better. Hope to see us kick on from here and have a strong finish to the season.
Seagulls 'attitude and personality' stood outpublished at 08:59 GMT 16 March
08:59 GMT 16 March
John Bennett Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton continued their impressive upturn in form with a third win in four games at Sunderland, so I made sure that the first person I looked at to assess their reaction was head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
This is a manager who'd been under scrutiny over the last few months. There was talk in the media that Brighton were "drifting" under his leadership and some supporters seemed to be losing patience during a run of two wins in 15 games from early December to mid-February.
Now though, following victories against Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland over three weeks, the momentum of the end of season run-in has completely changed.
So it was a surprise, as I glanced down at the technical area, to see Hurzeler so calm and composed straight after the final whistle. He thanked the supporters but left the more extravagant celebrations to his players.
Later, in the post-match interview, he praised his team's ability "to overcome difficult phases" and, for me, it was definitely their attitude and personality that stood out on Saturday.
It was far from a vintage performance in the north-east but what impressed me the most about Brighton was how solid they looked in the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Sunderland were trying to build pressure and get the crowd behind them for a final push to try to turn things around but they weren't able to really test the keeper in the closing stages. Hurzeler's side looking organised and fiercely determined to hang on to the three points.
That's a good sign for the Brighton fans and the team will go into their final match before the international break, against Liverpool next weekend, with huge confidence.
This is no longer a team that's "drifting," this is a team that's now in with an outside chance of challenging for that all important seventh place in the table.
Brighton analysis: Minteh makes his markpublished at 17:55 GMT 14 March
17:55 GMT 14 March
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Having spent the vast majority of his Brighton career playing on the right wing, Yankuba Minteh was tasked with filling in on the left in Kaoru Mitoma's absence.
While his goal came from that more familiar side - albeit in unusual circumstances - the 21-year-old had already made quite an impression in the game.
After a drab opening, it was his pinpoint cross that should have been converted by Josh Hinshelwood.
A left-footer playing on the left is something of a throwback, but Minteh showed it still has its benefits as he was able to beat his man on the outside and put a number of dangerous balls into the box.
Having wriggled his way past Granit Xhaka to somewhat fortuitously score his second league goal of the season - and first since September - the former Newcastle player also created their best chance to double the lead.
Another cross from the left found Mats Wieffer, who laid it off to Diego Gomez but the winger blazed over the bar.
Minteh's afternoon came to an abrupt end, though, when he was substituted 14 minutes from time after getting himself booked and risking a second with a foul moments later.
His work was done, though, and Brighton will hope the talented winger can kick on as they try to maintain their fine recent form.
Sunderland 0-1 Brighton: What Hurzeler saidpublished at 17:35 GMT 14 March
17:35 GMT 14 March
Media caption,
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their win over Sunderland: "We played really good in the first half, we controlled the game. The goal happened out of nowhere for us. It was a bit lucky but I think we deserved the luck.
"Afterwards we defended it well and didn't give away too many chances, so overall it was a deserved win. We found a way to overcome difficult phases and that was the main thing today."
On Yankuba Minteh's goal: "It was a strange goal, not one of his nicest in the season but a goal is a goal. He got his rewards. Sometimes football doesn't have to be nice, it has to be effective."
On Yankuba Minteh's substitution: "We have the responsibility to protect the players. Sometimes the players react emotionally so I need to take care of him."
Brighton and Hove Albion have won successive Premier League away games for the first time since their final two of 2024-25. They'd only won two of their first 13 in 2025-26 prior to this run (D4 L7).
