Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion
It’s a question a fair few people have asked over the years, yet the modern Seagulls have proved the doubters wrong on almost every occasion. But how long, realistically, can they continue to do so?
As I mentioned on these pages only a few days ago, that may seem extremely misguided given they have already defeated (and held) Manchester City and Chelsea this season and only last month knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
However, my inner belief says they cannot continue to successfully go toe-to-toe with the big boys when they lose key players on an annual basis. Given they have not won a game since that win in the previous round of the FA Cup just over a month ago, my feelings could be gathering pace.
Certainly, they travel to Anfield to meet Liverpool in this weekend’s fourth-round tie as big underdogs. Perhaps that, though, is when they will thrive.
Talking Points
They have no right to given they have lost a whole host of top players in recent years, amongst them Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez, and Alexis Mac Allister – not to mention the no fewer than nine members of staff who have left for Chelsea in recent years.
They also lost one of their latest playing talents to be linked with a move away from the south coast this week in the shape of midfielder Carlos Baleba, who came off early in their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday night. He may face a fitness test for this one.
If he doesn’t make it, perhaps there will be a start for veteran James Milner, the evergreen midfielder who can expect a warm welcome at one of his former clubs when he arrives after equalling the all-time Premier League record of
653 games when he came off the bench for Baleba in midweek.
It remains to be seen which side will deliver FA Cup 2026 highlights. An exit for the visitors will add to the pressure on the visitors’ young manager Fabian Hurzeler who is doing a decent job in the circumstances, far better than I ever anticipated, but is it really sustainable?
Meanwhile, an exit for big-spending Liverpool at home may well lead to unhappiness directed at home boss Arne Slot, whose team are 14 points off the pace in the Premier League.
History
Since their very first meeting in 1908 – an FA Cup tie which finished 1-1 at Anfield (the Merseysiders won the second round replay 3-0) – Liverpool had predominantly dominated the fixture with 24 wins compared to eight Brighton successes and 12 draws. Yet Brighton have been a thorn in Liverpool’s side in recent years.
Two seasons ago, they held them to a 2-2 draw on the south coast as Simon Adringa and Lewis Dunk scored in a 2-2 draw. The previous season, they beat them twice at home – once in the league and once in the FA Cup – and also enjoyed a 3-3 draw at Anfield.
Liverpool defeated them twice in four days last season – once in the League Cup on the south coast (2-3) and then a few days later at Anfield in the league 2-1) and stayed top of the table ever since.
Brighton beat them in May 3-2, with the title already decided, when Yasin Ayari, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood scored the goals with Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai replying for the Merseysiders.
When they met in the league at Anfield just before Christmas, the home team ran out 2-0 winners, thanks to a goal in each half from Hugo Ekitike.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP FA Cup 2026 betting odds are very one-sided. Liverpool can be backed in a number of ways, including 1X2 @ 1.49 and Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.16. Brighton, meanwhile, are on offer 1X2 @ 4.57 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.25. The draw pays out at a very attractive @ 3.99, although obviously the tie has to be decided on the night.
A repeat of their meeting just under two months ago on the same ground is on offer @ 9.40 with Correct Score 2-0. If you fancy Brighton to repeat their 2-1 victory against Liverpool as at the same stage of the competition three seasons ago, Correct Score 1-2 will pay out @ 16.50. I do think there will be a few goals, and if it remains level pegging, the longer the game goes on will lead to pressure on the hosts.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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