Brighton v Liverpool
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: The American Express Community Stadium
Date: Saturday 2nd December 2017
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Graham Scott
Assistants: Peter Kirkup, Richard West
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
TEAM NEWS
Brighton manager Chris Hughton looks set to recall left-back Gaetan Bong, who missed the draw with Crystal Palace because of a minor knee injury.
Steve Sidwell remains the Seagulls' only definite absentee as he continues to recover from back surgery.
Joel Matip has been ruled out for Liverpool after sustaining a muscle injury in the win at Stoke, but Ragnar Klavan may return from illness.
Adam Lallana is not yet fit to return while Nathaniel Clyne remains out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Martin Fisher: "Only champions-elect Manchester City boast better current form than Liverpool. Since losing heavily to Spurs in mid-October, Jurgen Klopp's side has taken 13 points from a possible 15. The goals are flying in at one end and have stopped leaking in at the other.
"Even when named as a substitute, Mo Salah is red hot at the moment and the Premier League's top goalscorer has managed to push Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane in to the background.
"Brighton haven't lost at home since the opening day. Chris Hughton will be frustrated by four successive draws at the Amex, but I doubt he'll be too disappointed if that run stretches to five."
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "(Brighton) defend deep and together but they play football as well as they have the skilful players. It will be a good mix.
"They have had a few very good results already this season. It will not be easy for us but we are in a good moment too so we should use that."
Brighton manager Chris Hughton on Mohamed Salah: "At the moment he's outstanding. When you know a player's in form is when he's not in the starting line-up, comes off the bench and still manages to get two goals,.
"That's real quality form and they were different types of goals. We're very conscious of how well he's playing and the threat that he is."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
[*=left]The two sides played out a 2-2 draw the last time they met in a top-flight fixture, at Brighton's former Goldstone Ground stadium in March 1983.
[*=left]They have met in six cup competitions since that game, with Liverpool winning four times - including by 6-1 in their most recent encounter, which was an FA Cup fifth-round match at Anfield in February 2012.
Brighton
[*=left]Brighton are unbeaten in six Premier League home games, with the last four all ending in draws.
[*=left]However, they have won only one of their last five league matches.
[*=left]Chris Hughton has lost all three Premier League games as a manager against Liverpool. His Norwich side conceded 15 goals in the process.
[*=left]Pascal Gross has been directly involved in eight of Brighton's 13 league goals this season, scoring three of them and assisting five others.
Liverpool
[*=left]Liverpool are unbeaten in five league matches, winning four and scoring 14 goals.
[*=left]The Reds have made a league-high 48 changes to their starting XI this season, which is 11 more than any other side.
[*=left]Liverpool's 3-0 victory at Stoke was their first league away clean sheet this in 2017-18.
[*=left]Away matches involving Liverpool this season have produced a league-high 31 goals.
[*=left]Mohamed Salah's tally of 12 goals in his first 14 Premier League games for Liverpool is a club record.
