Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 30
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
Anfield
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 31 March 2024
Kick-off is at 15h00
Liverpool have a chance to reclaim top spot in the
Premier League, if only briefly, when they lock horns with Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, March 31.
The Reds were knocked off the summit for the first time in 10 rounds after they could only manage a 1-1 draw with title rivals Manchester City at Anfield on March 10.
Jurgen Klopp's side trail Arsenal on goal difference in second place, having seen the Gunners beat Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on March 10 to climb into pole position.
The Citizens are just one point behind the top two in third spot, while Aston Villa are a further seven adrift in fourth position after they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium on March 17.
The Villans went three points clear of Tottenham, who suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on March 16, although they still have a game in hand on the top-four rivals.
Roberto De Zerbi's side are locked in a fierce battle with Wolves (9th), Newcastle (10th), Chelsea (11th) and Fulham (12th) for a top-10 finish, with the five clubs separated by just four points.
The Seagulls (8th) closed within two points of West Ham (7th) as they arrested a two-match winless run with a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Amex on March 10.
In team news, Liverpool's injury crisis deepened after Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo picked up groin and ankle issues respectively in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United on March 17. The duo join Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota (all knee), Alisson, Thiago Alcantara (both thigh) and Stefan Bajcetic on the sidelines. Curtis Jones (ankle), Ibrahima Konate and Darwin Nunez (both thigh) could come back into contention.
De Zerbi has a handful of injuries to contend with himself as Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle) and James Milner (thigh) remain unavailable, although Joao Pedro (thigh) could make his comeback.
Klopp acknowledged that the shear amount of games the Merseysiders have already played this season is beginning to take its toll on his squad after their FA Cup clash with the Red Devils went to extra-time.
"The problem is we didn't even know who to take off. For a while it was alright, in 90 minutes everything would have been fine. But then with extra-time, it was like options were now not [there]," the German said.
"We can talk now we bring the kids - we all said that all the time, you have to bring them in the right moment. They are fantastic but it was not the right moment. You just saw, we could have [taken off] Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] definitely, Wataru [Endo] definitely, Darwin definitely, Lucho [Diaz] we did then, Joey [Gomez]. They play all the time the boys and today, this extra-time."
De Zerbi is targeting a return to European football after Albion bowed out of the Europa League in the round of 16 following a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Roma before the international break.
"I believe in my players, and I know we can fight to reach another historical target," the Italian said. "We have 10 games and, apart from one week when we have three games in six days, we can prepare our best for every game.
"I hope we can play with James Milner and Joao Pedro before the end of the season, and we will try to reach the European competition again."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Liverpool wins - 1
Brighton wins - 1
Draws - 3
Premier League Matchday 30 fixtures:
Saturday, March 30
14h30: Newcastle United v West Ham United
17h00: Bournemouth v Everton
17h00: Chelsea v Burnley
17h00: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
17h00: Sheffield United v Fulham
17h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Luton Town
19h30: Aston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers
22h00: Brentford v Manchester United
Sunday, March 31
15h00: Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
17h30: Manchester City v Arsenal