Brighton & Hove Albion

Roberto de Zerbi spoke to to BBC Match of the Day after Brighton's defeat to Liverpool: "I think we played well. We played against one of the best teams in the Premier League. Especially in this moment it is tough playing against this Liverpool. They are a tough team.

"We fought in a right way, we could have scored in the last 15 minutes, we were unlucky but we can proud because we have a lot of injured players."

On Alexis Mac Allister: “We have to be proud for Alexis. He stayed with us last season and two seasons ago and we are happy for it."

On trying to secure European football: “We try to achieve it. The competition is tougher this season because we have too many problems. We find the key to improve but we hope to recover some important players and then we play like today, with the right behaviour to follow our dream and make our fans happy."

On atmosphere at Anfield: “It was incredible.”

• Liverpool won a Premier League match which they had been behind in for a seventh time this season, now their most comeback victories in a campaign.

• Since the start of December, only Brentford (8) have lost more away games (6) than Brighton in the Premier League. Indeed, the Seagulls have won just five points on the road in this period (W1 D2 L6), with only Crystal Palace (4) and Brentford (3) picking up fewer.

• Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 15 Premier League goals against Brighton (nine goals, six assists), his most versus an opponent. Indeed, the only Liverpool player with more goals and assists against a side is Steven Gerrard v Newcastle (16 – eight goals, eight assists).

• Since the start of last season, Brighton have scored the first goal of the game in all four of their Premier League meetings with Liverpool (W1 D2 L1). This is the joint-longest run by a team of opening the scoring against Jurgen Klopp’s side, with Arsenal also doing so home and away in the last two campaigns (W2 D2).

• Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah had 12 shots against Brighton today; his most in a game in the Premier League (254th appearance). Overall, it was the most shots attempted by a player in a match since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in October 2016 v Burnley (12 for Manchester United).

• Alexis Mac Allister has assisted five goals for Liverpool in the Premier League (24 appearances), equalling his tally with former club Brighton (five in 98 appearances). Four of his five assists for the Reds have been for winning goals, with only teammate Mo Salah (5) setting up more winners this season.

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League - for a couple of hours at least - as Mohamed Salah ended Brighton's resistance to secure a vital victory at Anfield.

With title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal meeting later on Sunday, Liverpool knew the significance of beating the resolute Seagulls in the early kick-off.

But Brighton striker Danny Welbeck stunned the hosts by thumping a strike into the top corner with only 87 seconds on the clock.

Liverpool responded strongly and began to dominate possession, with Luis Diaz poking home the equaliser from close range before the half-hour mark.

Salah, making his first league start since New Year's Day, had missed a host of chances but eventually made one count when he coolly slotted in from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute.

Liverpool move on to 67 points, three ahead of Arsenal - who have a superior goal difference - and four in front of City before their match at Etihad Stadium.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Liverpool fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brighton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Two matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

Times are BST

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary and follow live text updates

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

There is talk about Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi possibly being the next Liverpool manager when Jurgen Klopp leaves in the summer but this is not really an audition for the the job because the Reds' new sporting director Richard Hughes is supposedly a big fan of his anyway.

Regardless of where that subplot goes, the Seagulls will definitely fancy their chances on Sunday.

Brighton have been a bit of a bogey team for Liverpool recently, especially at Anfield where they have not been beaten since 2019.

I can see why this has been such a dangerous fixture for Liverpool because of the way that Brighton play, but if the Reds are anywhere near their best then I still think they will win this time.

They have to really. If they want to win the title - they have to win games like this.

There might be a bit of anger from Liverpool after the way they lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup last time out, and that might help.

Mohamed Salah was not at his best in that game, but he has had a couple of weeks to get his fitness levels up and he could make the difference here.

Bionic's prediction: 2-0

This will be quite straightforward for Liverpool.

See the full list of predictions here

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Brighton counterpart Roberto de Zerbi before their sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.

Albion have been a thorn in Liverpool's side since De Zerbi's first game in charge - a dramatic 3-3 draw against the Reds in October 2022.

The Italian has been touted as a possible replacement for Klopp when the German leaves in the summer.

The Reds manager says the way De Zerbi sets up his team is contrary to his own philosophy but it intrigues him.

"It's a different way - I couldn't coach that," said Klopp. "It goes against my personality. It's very demanding for the players. They have clear positioning and pass in the right moments. He's a top coach.

"It's super interesting to see - I like watching them [Brighton]. It makes it tricky. It's possession based but even more structured, than maybe Manchester City or whoever that have a bit more freedom.

"On their day, they can beat anyone in this league."

Listen to full commentary of Liverpool v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

Image source, Getty Images

Before Brighton's trip to Anfield this weekend, Liverpool reporter Paul Salt has been talking on the Albion Unlimited podcast about the match and in particular Alexis Mac Allister, who swapped Sussex for Merseyside in the summer.

"I think Liverpool will like playing Brighton because they know they are going to get a good game of football," began Salt.

"I was at the game last year at Anfield, when everyone was expecting Liverpool to win and it ended up being 3-3. And also the game at the Amex this season that ended 2-2.

"They are normally really open games. That's what we can definitely look forward to. Liverpool won't change how they set up at all.

"Of course there are some injury worries but Brighton will, I wouldn't say fancy their chances, but will definitely think they have a chance of scoring against Liverpool because of the attacking talent they have."

Mac Allister made the switch to Liverpool in a summer of change for both sides and, after settling at his new club, Salt can see why the Seagulls were reluctant to let the Argentina midfielder go.

"Everyone loves him. They think he is great. He had a difficult start but we had a completely new midfield.

"The likes of Henderson and Fabinho had both gone. Mac Allister came in along with Szoboszlai and the Hungarian was the one that hit the ground running quicker.

"Mac Allister was having to play in the number six role and I think at times he did find it difficult.

"Now Endo is back, Mac Allister has been pushed a bit further forward. He is just a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder.

"I am old enough to remember players like Jan Molby. Jan Molby had that brilliant range of passing and he could spot a ball and turn it into a goal. I think Mac Allister has shown that in the last few weeks.

"No wonder Brighton were sad to see him go."

Listen to the full episode now.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton & Hove Albion have 10 more games to go until the end of the Premier League season, and journalist Johnny Cantor believes everyone at the club will be "relishing" the opportunity to get into Europe for the second season in a row.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast, he explained Roberto De Zerbi's team selection will play a key role in where the Seagulls finish come the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

"I have seen some people being critical of De Zerbi in terms of some people he hasn't given that much game time to and some players he has played over and over again and that has led to injuries," he said.

"He might show a bit more belief in those fringe players. We might see a bit more from the likes of Baleba, coming into the central midfield role. Maybe Ferguson as well.

"It will be interesting to see how he shuffles the pack because that Brentford game is eminently winnable because they are in poor form at the moment, but it is sandwiched between two massive fixtures.

"I think it is something the players will relish, the manager will relish and I think the fans will relish as well."

Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall agrees that the run-in is a crucial time for De Zerbi's side, outlining how playing each of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City between now and the end of the season can be an extra motivation for the Seagulls.

"We are going for Europe, these clubs are going for Europe as well, and the title," he said.

"We can have a big impact on who wins this title. That is starting with Sunday at Liverpool.

"I don't think De Zerbi will want to go there and get hammered. He has been touted for that job. If we put a good performance in, the Liverpool fans will be thinking 'Forget about Alonso, let's go and get this guy'."

Listen to the full episode now.

Brighton, Tottenham, West Ham and Everton are all plotting moves for Juventus and England Under-21 winger Samuel Iling-Junior, 20. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Here are the key statistics before Liverpool host Brighton on Sunday.

• Brighton are unbeaten in their past three away league games against Liverpool, having only avoided defeat in two of their previous 11 visits to Anfield.

• Jurgen Klopp's side are unbeaten in their past 26 Premier League home games since a 2-1 loss to Leeds United in October 2022.

• Since the start of last season, 11 of Brighton’s 12 league away wins have been against sides in the bottom half of the table, with the exception being a win at Arsenal last May. Under Roberto de Zerbi, the Seagulls have taken just five points from 33 available away from home against sides in the top 10.

• Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is averaging a goal or assist every 76 minutes in the this season - the best rate of anyone to play at least 180 minutes in the competition this term.

• Salah needs an assist to become the first player in Premier League history to reach double figures for both goals and assists in three consecutive campaigns.

• Brighton beat Nottingham Forest in their last league game but have not managed consecutive victories since a run of three in September.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Liverpool v Brighton at 14:00 BST on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

In the latest Albion Unlimited podcast, BBC Radio Sussex commentator Johnny Cantor and former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall discussed the international break and how it has benefitted Albion's players.

Cantor: "They can draw on things from different coaches and players and going on international duty makes them more rounded as well.

"They have to develop their game, be flexible and adaptable and ultimately, become a better player. It's got to be a good thing gaining more experience of playing top-level games.

"Look at Simon Adingra [who now has 10 appearances for Ivory Coast]. Having won the Africa Cup of Nations has taken him to a different level.

"He was getting there anyway with a long run in the team showing the manager really trusted him. He got his opportunity with his country, went to a big tournament, was named young player of the competition and actually won it as well.

Aspinall: "It shows just how far Brighton have come."

Listen to the latest episode now

We asked for your thoughts on whether Brighton captain Lewis Dunk should be named in England's squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

Here is a snapshot of your comments:

Peter: This is to do with Lewis Dunk's chances of making it to the Euros, not about Brighton & Hove Albion. I think he should be picked. Lewis is not the only one to have made mistakes in the England defence. Both Harry Maguire and John Stones are just as culpable and Gareth Southgate has praised Lewis's past performances.

Matt: Dunk definitely deserves a place in the squad. Whether he starts is a different matter. If fit, Stones is a banker and the Southgate infatuation with Maguire shows no sign of abating.

Leonard: Great club player but not up to England standards.

Puppers: Dunk has had a good season for Brighton, but he does get found out occasionally and goes to ground far too often. Why does Southgate insist on playing a right-footed player at left back (even if he does play the same position for Brighton) when he has a regularly excellent, left-footed option in Max Kilman of Wolves?

Rob: He choked at the vital moments but Maguire does this regularly as well. Neither should be a starter and Dunk is certainly no worse than Maguire. I'd have liked to see Jarrad Branthwaite start.

Brian: Don’t think Dunk is of a real international standard but with a dearth of defenders and a query over Maguire, England are desperately short of solid back-ups. If key players get injured, our hopes of winning the Euros diminish considerably. When Stones left [against Belgium, it was a perfect example of how vulnerable England are!

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Dunk has waited so patiently.

An international debutant in November 2018, almost five years passed before Gareth Southgate turned again to the Brighton centre-back for friendly wins over Scotland and Australia in September 2023.

Despite consistently outstanding club form, Dunk has not played in a competitive game for England.

After being given another chance in this week's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium at Wembley, might some high-profile errors have cost one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders his plane ticket to Euro 2024?

Dunk has been the cornerstone of this overperforming Albion team, marshalling the defence superbly and setting the tone for Roberto de Zerbi’s style of play.

Notably, he has had more touches than any other player in the Premier League this season (2,735) - and that is nearly 300 more than second-placed William Saliba, despite playing four fewer games than the Arsenal centre-back.

Here is a player comfortable on the ball - precisely what international football demands - and capable of leading his team-mates through good times and through adversity.

However, here also is a player who has arguably just come up short on the highest stage - bullied by Belgium's Romelu Lukaku on Tuesday, but also a few weeks ago when Roma blitzed through the Seagulls' defence.

On paper, defence is not where England are strongest. Dunk's record suggests he should be a shoo-in for the squad, but will Southgate's historical willingness to overlook his credentials put his place in jeopardy?

To win his place at Euro 2024, he is likely to need a flawless final 10 games in a Brighton shirt this season.

Starting at Anfield on Sunday.

What do you think of Dunk’s England chances? Does he deserve to be in the squad?

Let us know here

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Brighton & Hove Albion fan and former Olympic runner Tim Hutchings shared his love for the club.

"I am fiercely a supporter and I just love going to the home games, when I can make it. I have got stronger and stronger and stronger in my love for Albion and now I follow every game so closely and go to the games when I can. It's been a wonderful journey.

"I have loved watching them through different managers whether it was Chris Hughton or anybody else since then and now Roberto de Zerbi., I have many good friends in Italy and they support Albion now because they can see how avid a supporter I am.

"I love people who wear their heart on their sleeve like he does. I am scared he is going to get whisked away by a - as some consider - bigger club.

"He has a vision of perfection. When it goes a little bit off by three, four, five per cent off, he is screaming, yelling, stamping his feet and punching the air. I love that.

"He knows he has got a talented team - and we have got an amazing squad. If Roberto could get the team out that he wants, uninjured, then I think we could be fifth or sixth."

Listen to the full episode now

Brighton are tracking 24-year-old Nigerian winger Philip Otele, who plays for Romanian club Cluj. (Evening Standard), external

As well as wanting Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are keen on Brighton head coach Roberto de Zerbi as an alternative. (Bild - in German), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Four weeks ago, the 2023-24 season had the potential to be a truly historic one for Brighton. The Albion were in touch with the top six, two wins from a return to Wembley in the FA Cup and looking forward to facing Roma in the last 16 of the Europa League.

A month is a long time in football. Brighton are now out of the FA Cup and out of Europe, and have won only six league games since the end of September.

Here are three things the Seagulls need to do between now and the end of the season to lift the cloud hanging over the Amex:

Stay in touch for Europe

The danger facing the Albion is that the season now drifts into nothingness.

If Brighton lose further touch with the race for Europe, then they could find themselves with little to play for over the final seven or eight matches of the campaign.

Avoiding that is the first thing - otherwise, the thousands of empty seats and the dead atmosphere at the most recent home game against Nottingham Forest will become more commonplace.

Learn lessons

The second thing is to learn the lessons this campaign has taught.

At board level, that would be giving the manager greater squad depth to cope if the club qualify for Europe again.

Roberto de Zerbi himself needs to strike a better balance when it comes to rotation. Some players were heavily rested, others hardly at all, and yet still the injuries kept coming.

Get manager and club on same page

As Pam from Gavin And Stacey says: "It's all the drama, Mick. I love it!"

But the Albion will surely benefit from De Zerbi and the club singing from the same hymn sheet between now and the end of the campaign. Even if we do love all the drama.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is "flattered" by interest from Bayern Munich - but the Italian coach is in no rush to make a decision over his long-term future. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How does the rest of your season look? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

We asked you what the most irritating thing at your club has been this season, whether it be inconsistency, injuries or a player failing to deliver.

Here are some of your replies:

Jason: The Fati experiment has not worked for either party. He has largely disappointed and not really fitted into our system of play. Also, without our first-choice wingers we lack bite and sadly they have been injured for most of the season. But... we are still doing OK. I think expectations went a bit sky high after last term!

David: I’m still annoyed with how post-World Cup Trossard engineered his exit and how we continue to lose key players to top clubs like Mac Allister, who was sold for only £35m. Of course, the club has sold some players well but how are we going to win if the best want to exit or are sold? Finally looks like clubs have figured out RDZ’s game and hit us on the counter.

Kelly: Everyone talks about the club being so well run and how much money has been made from buying players for pence and selling them for millions. As a neutral, that's amazing, but as a fan I want to see most of that profit spent on players and not on a new fan zone.

BPB: Too much passing back. It's as if they don't know which goal to aim for.

Brighton and Manchester United could explore a deal for English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 25, who could leave Leicester City for a cut-price fee if the Foxes fail in their bid for promotion to the Premier League. (90min, external)

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column