Liverpool vs Brighton live: Chiesa makes rare start as Reds take on Premier League rivals in FA Cup | OneFootball

(REUTERS)

Liverpool play host to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round looking to advance in the domestic competition and further Arne Slot’s quest for silverware this year.

With the Reds’ defence of their Premier League title all but over the FA Cup, along with the Champions League, are the only opportunities for them to win trophies in this campaign. Liverpool swept Barnsley aside 4-1 in the third round but have been inconsistent in the league with two wins, one draw and two defeats coming since the victory over the League One side.

Brighton are in a similar position. Though their third round clash was a thrilling 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Seagulls have since gone on a five-game winless run including narrow defeats to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in their last two outings.

When these teams met in the Premier League earlier this season, Liverpool came out 2-0 winners at Anfield and it seems a similar result is the most likely outcome unless Brighton can banish their recent dip in form.

Arne Slot discusses squad rotation

Liverpool have gone pretty strong tonight with their line-up and Arne Slot has discussed the tough balancing act between squad rotation and winning matches

Arne Slot confirms Liverpool in fresh talks with Ibrahima Konate over contract extension

Liverpool are in talks with Ibrahima Konate about a new contract with Arne Slot saying he wants the defender to stay.

The Premier League champions risk losing the £36m signing on a free transfer in the summer when his current deal expires.

And Liverpool are bringing in other central defenders with Giovanni Leoni arriving last summer for £26m and the club agreeing an initial £55m deal for Jeremy Jacquet, who will move to Anfield at the end of this season.

Slot confirms fresh talks with Konate over contract extension

Liverpool risk losing Konate on a free transfer in the summer when his current deal expires

Chris Wilson14 February 2026 19:34

'A year on, this is a very strong Liverpool team'

Our Senior Football Correspondent, Richard Jolly is at Anfield tonight and has given his thoughts on the Liverpool line-up

“Arne Slot picked a much-weakened side in the FA Cup fourth round against Plymouth last year and Liverpool lost. A year on and this is a very strong team with only Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch of the strongest available 11 on the bench.

“Federico Chiesa gets a rare start in attack while Dominik Szoboszlai returns from a ban, presumably at right-back.

“Brighton, who knocked out Manchester United in the last round, are looking for a rare double, but are out of form in the Premier League.”

Team news

The line-ups should be released in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news for both sides...

Liverpool’s right-back curse continued on Wednesday night as makeshift defender Wataru Endo suffered a suspected season-ending foot injury, joining Conor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong on the sidelines. Giorgi Mamardashvili is likely to start as Arne Slot’s cup keeper, while the Reds manager also hinted at rotation which could see youngsters Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni involved. Dominic Szoboszlai is back from suspension.

Brighton will be buoyed by the return of Mats Wieffer from a toe problem but remain without Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March and Yasin Ayari. James Milner could be awarded a rare start against his former club.

Chris Wilson14 February 2026 18:40