Brighton v Liverpool FA Cup preview: Seagulls look to repeat success
A 5-1 mauling of Middlesbrough in the last round secured their spot in the fourth-round draw, a stage where Brighton have won three of their last four ties in this competition.
The picture does change when taking on the defending champions though, as the Seagulls have lost their last two FA Cup games when playing the holders of the tournament.
Roberto De Zerbi’s troops may be confident they can break that duck when Liverpool travel to the Amex here, having scored three goals in their last two H2Hs (W1, D1), and now looking for consecutive wins over Liverpool for the very first time after their 3-0 demolition earlier this month.
Liverpool seem as vulnerable as ever to suffer that fate, with one win in their last five matches (D2, L2) showing things are just not right at Anfield.
Jürgen Klopp’s men showed some mettle in winning a tricky third-round replay against Wolves 1-0, but returned to their toothless ways in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea last time out.
To rub salt in the wounds, the fourth round has often proved a hurdle for the Reds, after bowing out at this stage of the competition in four of their last six attempts.
They have gotten the better of Brighton in their last two FA Cup H2Hs, however, with the last meeting being a 6-1 thumping of the Seagulls in the 2011/12 edition.
Players to watch: World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister bagged a brace in Brighton’s win over Middlesbrough, and five of his last six goals have now arrived after half-time. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott nabbed the winner against Wolves, ensuring that his five scoring appearances for Liverpool have all ended in victory.
Hot stat: Ten of Brighton’s last 12 matches have seen goals scored in both halves.
