Football Bet of the Day: Brighton can be a thorn in Liverpool’s side once again

All eyes are on Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday and the race to be crowned Premier League champions. Liverpool are the third side involved in what is shaping up to be a thrilling title battle, but the Reds may lose ground on their rivals regardless of how the clash at the Etihad plays out. 

Jurgen Klopp’s men return from the international break with an Anfield battle against Brighton on Sunday (14:00) and a contest with the Seagulls may not be as comfortable as the prices suggest.

It’s expected to be advantage Liverpool in the Premier League title race come Sunday evening, with Man City and Arsenal going head-to-head at the Etihad, but the Reds may forfeit points themselves when Brighton come to town.

Klopp’s men hold in a good Premier League position as they bid to give the German the perfect send off, but there have been signs of vulnerability in their recent performances.

Liverpool were beaten 4-3 by bitter rivals Manchester Utd in the FA Cup prior to the international break, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Man City at Anfield in the Premier League and prior to that stalemate they needed a last-gasp Darwin Nunez winner to get past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Yes, there have been high-scoring victories over Southampton in the FA Cup and Sparta Prague in the Europa League, but they have come against below-par opposition.

Klopp remains without Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Andrew Robertson could also miss out after picking up an ankle injury on international duty with Scotland.

The absence of first-choice keeper Alisson, and two or three of a first-choice defence has to be a concern for the Reds and Brighton certainly have the attacking ability to take advantage.

The Seagulls welcome back key forward Joao Pedro from injury and Billy Gilmour and James Milner could also come back into the starting lineup.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side have been hit hard by injuries and that has perhaps left them a little short of their top-level on occasions, but the south coast side have beaten Tottenham, Newcastle and Man Utd this term and they also held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at the Amex.

The Seagulls only went down 2-1 at Man City earlier in the campaign and Brighton had the Citizens calling for the final whistle in the latter stages of that contest.

Brighton’s performances against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, City, Newcastle United and Man United this season are enough to think a side that carries a huge amount of belief may be able to upset a weakened Liverpool outfit at Anfield on Sunday by emerging with something to show for their efforts.