Klopp's Anfield Farewell Tour Hits a Tricky Amex Roadblock

Liverpool’s title charge rolls into the Amex Stadium this Sunday, and honestly, this Brighton trip feels different. It’s not just another fixture. It’s a proper test, a genuine banana peel game, especially with Roberto De Zerbi’s side finding their rhythm. Kick-off is set for 2 PM GMT, and if you’re not there, TNT Sports 1 has the live coverage for UK viewers. You can stream it on the discovery+ app too, which is handy. Simon Hooper’s got the whistle, and he’ll need to be sharp. Brighton at home, even with some injuries, can be a handful.

Look, Liverpool leads the league, sitting on 64 points after 28 games. That's a point clear of Arsenal and Manchester City. Every single match from here on out is a cup final, a cliché, sure, but it's true for Jürgen Klopp's last dance. The Reds are coming off that FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United – a wild 4-3 extra-time loss at Old Trafford on March 17th. That one stung, no doubt, but sometimes a good punch to the gut can sharpen focus. Before that, they smashed Sparta Prague 6-1 in the Europa League. So, the goals are there.

**De Zerbi's Defensive Dilemma (and Attacking Flair)**

Brighton, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Roma in the Europa League on March 14th, meaning they exited the competition 4-1 on aggregate. Before that, they beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the league on March 10th thanks to a Pascal Gross goal. They're currently 8th in the Premier League table with 42 points. That's solid, but they've been leaky at the back this season, conceding 44 goals in 28 league matches. For comparison, Liverpool has let in just 26. Thing is, Brighton's attacking talent can undo any defensive frailties on their day. Evan Ferguson, even at 19, is a handful, and if Kaoru Mitoma finds space, Trent Alexander-Arnold will have his work cut out.

Speaking of injuries, both sides have their issues. Brighton's list is longer than a supermarket receipt. Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), James Milner (thigh), and Joao Pedro (thigh) are all expected to miss out. That’s a huge blow, especially Mitoma, who can unlock any defense. For Liverpool, Alisson Becker (hamstring) is still out, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher keeps his spot between the sticks. Diogo Jota (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), and Joel Matip (ACL) are also sidelined. Andy Robertson picked up a knock against United, but there’s a good chance he features. Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah both came off the bench at Old Trafford, so they should be fresh and ready to start.

Here's the thing: Brighton has been a bogey team for Liverpool recently. They beat them 3-0 in the FA Cup fourth round last season, and then drew 2-2 at the Amex in the league back in October. In fact, Liverpool hasn't beaten Brighton in their last three Premier League meetings. That's not a stat to gloss over. De Zerbi’s system, with its build-up from the back and quick transitions, seems to give Klopp's pressing game fits.

My hot take? Liverpool drops points here. Not a loss, but a frustrating 1-1 draw. The injuries for Brighton are tough, but they always seem to find another gear against the big boys at home. Plus, Liverpool’s had a brutal run of games, and fatigue has to be a factor, even with the squad depth. I think Salah gets on the score sheet, but Brighton's resilience at the Amex ensures a share of the spoils. This title race is going down to the wire, and this Sunday, it gets a little bumpier for the Reds.