Brighton vs Liverpool: Carabao Cup Preview, Latest Team News ...

Brighton vs Liverpool: Carabao Cup Preview, Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups

Date – 30th October 2024

Venue – American Express Stadium

Kick off – 19.30hrs

The Premier League takes a backseat for this upcoming midweek round of games, as the EFL Cup resumes at the 4th round stage of the secondary domestic competition. Brighton hosts the reigning and defending League Cup holders, Liverpool, in what promises to be an enthralling encounter on the English south coast.

In terms of availability, Adam Webster, Matthew O’Riley, Joao Pedro, Solomon March, and the former beloved Liverpool player, James Milner, are all ruled out for the home team, whereas the trio of Yankuba Minteh, Lewis Dunk, and Jack Hinshelwood, face late fitness tests. Despite the reports, I do expect all three players to start this game.

Photo: IMAGO

Regarding early season form, a surprise 2-2 home draw was recorded against a struggling Wolves side at the weekend, following a solid 0-1 away win against Newcastle the weekend prior. A brilliant 3-2 home win against Tottenham came just prior to the international break, whilst progression in the 3rd round of the EFL Cup came after a 3-2 home victory over Wolves. Following nine games played in the 2024/25 Premier League, the Seagulls reside a wonderful sixth place in the current standings, having accrued sixteen-points so far.

A predicted line up for the home team is listed below, in a 4-3-3 formation. The new manager of the overachieving club, Fabian Hürzeler, generally likes a 4-4-2 system of play, however, a more solidified and outnumbering enterprise may be incorporated to overwhelm the visiting assets. With a combination of pace and trickery on the flanks, the incoming physicality of Evan Ferguson will be thrust upon the starting centre backs of Liverpool.

Predicted Lineup: Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, Carlos Baleba, Jakub Moder, Mats Wieffer, Yankuba Minteh, Evan Ferguson, Julio Enciso

In terms of injures, Harvey Elliott remains sidelined until some point in November as he rehabilitates from a fractured foot, whereas Federico Chiesa will be out for an undetermined period with ongoing complaints. Alisson Becker sustained a hamstring strain against Crystal Palace (three weeks ago), which could keep him out until early December, whereas Diogo Jota is sidelined (with a suspected cracked rib) for the next few weeks. Conor Bradley is now back and primed for a starting role.

Photo: IMAGO

Regarding recent form and the weekend 2-2 draw at Arsenal, the reds travelled to Germany last midweek to overcome a solid RB Leipzig team at the Red Bull Arena (by a 0-1 margin), on the back of a solid 2-1 victory at home to Chelsea last Sunday. Prior to the recent international break, an important 0-1 victory was recorded against struggling Crystal Palace. The reds are currently second in Premier League after amassing a tremendous 22-points from their nine games played.

Below is the team I believe the Dutch boss, Arne Slot, will start for this difficult away encounter. Some much-needed rotation will surely be undertaken for this secondary domestic cup competition, with minutes awarded to fringe players in need of game time.

Predicted Lineup: Caoimhin Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endō, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo

Liverpool will have to be controlled against a very well organized and talented team. The likelihood for rotation is high for both sides, especially given that they will meet again on Saturday afternoon, as Anfield place host to their upcoming Premier League encounter. Given the depth of the visiting side, I sense an away victory will eventually come, however, if Brighton decide to go full strength and attack Liverpool, it may make for a blistering display under the Brighton lights.

Player to watch – Dominik Szoboszlai

Score Prediction: Brighton 2 – 3 Liverpool