Image copyright: Getty Images
2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 8
Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool
American Express Stadium
Brighton and Hove, England
Sunday, 8 October 2023
Kick-off is at 13h00
Liverpool will look to put the disappointment of their first
Premier League defeat in 2023-24 behind them when they lock horns with Brighton at the Amex on Sunday, October 8.
The Reds suffered a last-gasp 2-1 loss to Tottenham in the capital on September which brought an end to their unbeaten start to the season, although they almost held on with just nine players on the pitch.
Joel Matip turned Pedro Porro's low cross into the back of his own net with virtually the last kick of the game to hand Spurs all three points and take them above Jurgen Klopp's side into second place.
Arsenal also leapfrogged the Merseysiders into third spot courtesy of a 4-0 win over Bournemouth to keep their own undefeated record intact alongside their North London rivals.
Alamy Stock Photo
The Seagulls dropped to sixth in the standings after they were battered 6-1 by Aston VIlla at Villa Park as the West Midlands giants moved up to fifth position in the process.
Roberto De Zerbi's side saw a three-game winning sequence halted, but they're still only three points shy of the league summit following an impressive start to proceedings.
Albion had a day to forget against the Villans, with Ansu Fati providing the one bright spark when he pulled one back just five minutes after being introduced as a half-time substitute. The on-loan Barcelona winger has made three appearances now for the Seagulls, all off the bench, and he'll be hoping to have done enough to earn his first start against Liverpool.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Luis Diaz was one of the Reds' best performers against Spurs and was unfortunate to have a goal ruled out for offside in the first half after a VAR review, which got the decision wrong. The Colombian winger has now gone five games without scoring after bagging a goal in each of his first two appearances against Chelsea and Bournemouth.
Brighton are the top scorers in the league with 19 goals, but De Zerbi feels they should have more after seven matches and also admits they are leaking too many in defence which is hampering their progress.
"We have to put the focus on the attackers. I'm speaking about Ansu Fati, Joao Pedro, Solly March, [Simon] Adingra, [Facundo] Buonanotte... We could score more goals," the Italian said.
"This is the first point, and my second point is we are conceding too many goals. To concede a goal is not a problem, it's part of football. But we have to consider it [a problem] if we want to improve and progress."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Brighton - 2
Liverpool - 1
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 8 fixtures:
Saturday, October 7
11h30: Luton Town v Tottenham Hotspur
14h00: Burnley v Chelsea
14h00: Everton v Bournemouth
14h00: Fulham v Sheffield United
14h00: Manchester United v Brentford
16h30: Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
Sunday, October 8
13h00: Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool
13h00: West Ham United v Newcastle United
13h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa
15h30: Arsenal v Manchester City
Bet on the English Premier League with Betway
Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A, the Spanish La Liga and many more.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube. Download the Betway App.