Match Preview: Liverpool Face Brighton Test in Final Premier League Away Clash | OneFootball

Brighton vs Liverpool: Premier League Preview

Date: Monday, 19th May 2025

Venue: AMEX Stadium

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Liverpool will travel to the South Coast for their final away fixture of the season, which has already been confirmed as Premier League champions. With the title sealed weeks ago, Arne Slot’s side will be greeted by Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton, who will be obliged to offer a pre-match guard of honour to the league winners before a sold-out AMEX crowd on the Monday night affair.

It’s been a season of relentless control from the Reds, and after enjoying some deserved downtime with a warm-weather retreat in Dubai—and a now-infamous viral clip of Slot dancing behind the decks in Ibiza—the squad return to finish the job with pride and without any pressure that is saved for the clutch of teams below them, all fighting for Champions League qualification. With 83 points from 36 games, the aim is clear: finish with two wins and put an exclamation point on a dominant campaign where no genuine title challenge was ever truly present.

Brighton, now under the guidance of 31-year-old Fabian Hürzeler, has endured a turbulent season. Despite showing flashes of structure and intent under the young German coach, inconsistency and injury issues have left them stranded in mid-table. With no European football on the line, their focus now turns to spoiling the champions’ party and giving the home supporters one last reason to cheer.

Brighton Team News

Hürzeler is expected to field a strong starting XI. Solly March, Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner,  and Georginio Rutter are all out, whereas Kaoru Mitoma and Lewis Dunk are likely to return to the side. Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma could offer flair and unpredictability behind Danny Welbeck as the hosts will look to exploit a team that has been in holiday mode this past weekend. The Seagulls will look to stay compact and break quickly when chances arise.

Their recent form saw a 0-2 away win over Wolves follow a 1-1 at home to Newcastle, after a 3-2 win against visiting West Ham.

Predicted Brighton Lineup (4-2-3-1):

GK: Bart Verbruggen

RB: Mats Wieffer

RCB: Jan Paul van Hecke

LCB: Adam Webster (c)

LB: Pervis Estupiñán

CM: Yasin Ayari

CM: Carlos Baleba

CAM: Matt O’Riley

RW: Simon Adingra

CF: Danny Welbeck

LW: Kaoru Mitoma

Liverpool Team News

Joe Gomez remains sidelined, but otherwise, Arne Slot has a fully fit squad to choose from. While rotation is still expected, the core of the side could return after last weekend’s shuffled lineup against Arsenal. Alexis Mac Allister is set to feature on his return to the AMEX in place of Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai will start ahead of him in midfield. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz are both in line for starts, with Slot eager to maintain sharpness and intensity heading into the final game week.

Liverpool’s recent run includes a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, a 3-1 loss away to Chelsea and a 5-1 win against Spurs at Anfield.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1):

GK: Alisson Becker

RB: Conor Bradley

RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB: Kostas Tsimikas

CM: Alexis Mac Allister

CM: Ryan Gravenberch

ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai

RW: Mohamed Salah

CF: Luis Diaz

LW: Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool will control possession and look to dictate tempo, especially through their midfield triangle. Brighton may opt to press early but will likely settle into a compact shape, relying on Mitoma and Adingra to spring counterattacks from wide. If Liverpool’s midfield clicks, particularly through Mac Allister’s control and Szoboszlai’s powerful running, it may become a long evening for the Seagulls.

The Reds have nothing to prove, but still plenty to gain with momentum desired leading into the postseason. Expect attacking freedom, rotations in movement, and individual flair as Slot’s side continues their lap of honour with professionalism and poise.

Player to Watch: Alexis Mac Allister

Returning to the AMEX against his former employers, Mac Allister will look to dictate the game from deep. His ability to orchestrate tempo and break lines will be crucial in breaking down Brighton’s shape. Expect a warm reception pre-match and a typically intelligent performance from the Premier League’s best all-around midfielder.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Brighton 2 – 2 Liverpool