JAKARTA - Liverpool will host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield Stadium on Saturday, December 13 at night in the English League. This match is a momentum of revival for both teams who failed to win in the previous week.
The main highlight is on Mohamed Salah whose future at Liverpool is shrouded in speculation. The Egyptian striker's relationship with coach Arne Slot is reportedly strained, giving rise to speculation that the match against Brighton could be Salah's last appearance before leaving to strengthen the Egyptian national team at the African Cup of Nations. Previously, Slot made a controversial decision by cutting Salah from the squad when Liverpool won 1-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Salah's decline in performance this season has also been a concern. Statistics show that his contribution is at its lowest point since joining Liverpool, both in terms of shots, on-target shots, and touches in the opponent's penalty area per 90 minutes. Salah's defensive aspect was also highlighted, with a backward tracking record that was one of the worst among English League wingers this season.
Liverpool itself is in a difficult period. As the defending champion, The Reds were only able to win two out of the last 10 English League matches, with two draws and six defeats. The results left Liverpool stranded in 10th place in the standings, 10 points behind Arsenal at the top. The defense record is also worrying, with 24 goals conceded from the first 15 matches, the worst start of the season for the defending champion since Leicester City in the 2016-2017 season.
Even so, Anfield is still an important capital for Liverpool. From eight home games against Brighton in the English League, Liverpool only once suffered a defeat. However, the defeat occurred in February 2021, when Liverpool was also the defending champion.
Brighton came to Merseyside after drawing 1-1 against West Ham United. Coach Fabian Hurzeler admitted that his team was less energetic and lacked creativity, with only dangerous opportunities created in the final minutes of the match. The result put Brighton in eighth place in the standings, level with Liverpool and only three points behind the Champions League zone.
The Seagulls bring positive capital in the form of two consecutive clean sheets in away games. Brighton also aims to record a league win in a row over Liverpool for the first time, after winning 3-2 in the last meeting between the two teams in May.
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Liverpool is certain to lose several players, including Cody Gakpo and Wataru Endo. Mohamed Salah is certain to be included in the squad before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations. At Brighton, Stefanos Tzimas is absent due to a knee ligament injury, while Kaoru Mitoma and James Milner have the chance to return to strengthen the team.
With the huge pressure at Anfield and the sharp spotlight on Liverpool's internal conditions, this match is predicted to be tight and emotional.
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