After losing two games in a roll, Manchester city in the league and Wolves in the FA cup, Liverpool away to Brighton. Brighton must not be underrated, but I believe Liverpool are going to bounce back. My prediction: Brighton 0:3 Liverpool. Other fixtures and predictions: Saturday 12th January 2019 West Ham United vs Arsenal 1:1 Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool 0:3 Burnley vs Fulham 1:1 Cardiff City vs Huddersfield Town 2:1 Crystal Palace vs Watford 2:1 Leicester City vs Southampton 2:1 Chelsea vs Newcastle United 2:1 Sunday 13th January 2019 Premier League Everton vs AFC Bournemouth 2:0 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United 1:1 Monday 14th February 2019 Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers 3:1
Lawro is sitting on the fence, he has gone for a draw. Brighton v Liverpool Liverpool have got a problem in central defence with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip injured, and I suspect Fabinho will play there - I can't see what else Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would do. Ki-Jana Hoever did great when he came on for Lovren against Wolves, but you would not want to chuck a 16-year-old in at Brighton because he would have Glenn Murray to contend with. I know the Seagulls are not the most attacking team, and Liverpool turned them over easily at Amex Stadium last season, but Murray against a kid? No, he would have too much experience for him. This is a really good test for Liverpool, on the back of their defeat by Manchester City and then their defeat at Molineux after Klopp decided the FA Cup was not in his top two priorities. FA Cup: Wolves 2-1 Liverpool highlights It would clearly be preferable for Liverpool to be at Anfield as they look to bounce back this weekend, especially because the thing about Brighton is that they are very good at stopping teams from playing. Brighton have got a good home record too, which is why I am going for a draw here. I don't know whether this might be a little bump in the road for Liverpool but, if I am right and they drop points on Saturday, I would also back them to return to winning ways in their home games against Crystal Palace and Leicester before the end of the month. There are 11 days between the Palace and Leicester matches and, because Liverpool are out of the FA Cup, Klopp will be able to give his players a few days off to rest their bodies, and clear their heads. Lawro's prediction: 1-1 "If we score and don't concede we are going to win many games" (Rafae Benitez)
Paul Merson has gone for away win 1:3 Brighton vs Liverpool (Saturday, 3pm) This is the biggest game of the season for Liverpool, even bigger than the Manchester City game. They have to win this game, if they draw it will just be a disaster. Going out of the FA Cup was a blessing in disguise. They put all of their eggs in one basket, which they should, but that will count for nothing if they don't win at Brighton. They could have been 10 points clear a week ago, if they fail to win at the Amex and City win, their lead could be down to two points. Psychologically that would be it. They have to win this game or they will not win the league. This is a really hard game for Liverpool, especially what they have been through the last few weeks, but I reckon they will hold their nerve. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
