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Introduction
As the Premier League champions prepare to close out their remarkable 2024-25 season, Liverpool travel to Brighton & Hove Albion for their final away fixture on Monday night. With the title already secured and the pressure off, head coach Arne Slot is striking a careful balance between rest and readiness. Meanwhile, Brighton are battling injuries and looking to finish strong at home.
Liverpool’s Championship Glory Changes the Dynamic
Having clinched the Premier League title with four games to spare, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have enjoyed the luxury of adjusting their schedule a rarity in such a demanding campaign. The Reds are 15 points clear at the top and have lost just three of their 36 matches this season, demonstrating consistency, character, and class.
With the championship locked in, Slot gave his players four days off this week, acknowledging the toll of a season that saw them compete across four competitions: the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Champions League.
“We feel this is a very good lead-up to our game on Monday,” Slot told reporters. “It is quite difficult for a team that already won the league to train so many days in a row.”
Tapered Training: Rest, Recovery, and Readiness
After their thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield on May 11, the Liverpool squad reconvened at the AXA Training Centre on Friday. Slot emphasized the importance of balancing rest with preparation for Brighton, particularly given the Reds’ relentless schedule this season.
“These players never had a few days off during the season because we were in every competition for a long time,” Slot explained. “So where other teams maybe had a few days off, we hardly ever had that.”
Liverpool will train Friday through Sunday in the lead-up to the Brighton fixture, focusing on tactical sharpness and squad rotation.
Injury Update: Trent, Gomez & More
Arne Slot confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold did not train this week and hadn’t been in contact due to time off. His involvement in the final two fixtures of the season remains uncertain.
Joe Gomez, who underwent hamstring surgery in February, remains sidelined but is “getting closer and closer” to full fitness. His return would be a boost, especially with defensive rotation likely. Meanwhile, Conor Bradley returned to the matchday squad against Arsenal, and looks poised to be involved again.
Probable Liverpool Line-up vs Brighton (based on last match):
- GK: Alisson
- DEF: Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
- MID: Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai
- FWD: Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Brighton’s Reinforcements: Dunk, Pedro, and Igor Return
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler will be relieved to have some key names back ahead of Monday’s showdown. Joao Pedro, who served a three-match ban for a red card against Brentford, is now available. Defenders Lewis Dunk, Igor Julio, and Joel Veltman have also recovered from their respective injuries and are expected to be in the squad.
“Lewis will be back in the squad, Joel will be back. That’s all very positive news,” Hürzeler said during his press conference.
Kaoru Mitoma’s inclusion remains uncertain due to minor fitness concerns, but James Milner and Georginio Rutter look set to miss the clash. Solly March, on the other hand, has already been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Tactical Preview: Slot vs Hürzeler
With the pressure off, Arne Slot might look to experiment or offer minutes to fringe players and promising youngsters. However, Slot will likely still expect a strong performance particularly as the Reds aim to close out their away campaign with a win.
Brighton, on the other hand, will be hoping to impress their home fans and possibly pull off a statement win against the champions. With more defensive options now fit, Hürzeler can afford tactical flexibility, especially in midfield transitions and high pressing phases. Expect Brighton to maintain their attacking style with Danny Welbeck and Minteh providing speed up front, while Liverpool continue to rely on the creative link-up of Salah, Diaz, and Gakpo.
Key Battles to Watch
1. Salah vs Estupiñán
Salah’s movement and cutting runs will test Brighton’s backline, particularly left-back Pervis Estupiñán, who must be at his best to stop the Egyptian King.
2. Midfield Engine Room
Gravenberch, who has blossomed under Slot in a deeper role, will look to dictate play. Brighton’s Wieffer and Baleba must break Liverpool’s rhythm early to avoid being overrun.
3. Van Dijk vs Welbeck
The Dutch colossus has led Liverpool’s defense with authority this season. Welbeck’s physicality and experience make this a classic battle of strength and positioning.
Previous Encounters: A Look Back
In their earlier meetings this season, Liverpool and Brighton battled out an intense contest at Anfield, but the Amex has traditionally been a tough venue for visiting sides. Brighton’s fluid system and home crowd advantage will certainly pose a challenge for the champions. Brighton come into this game on the back of a 2-0 away win over Wolves, signaling strong form and a positive mindset.
Prediction & Final Thoughts
While the stakes may be lower for Liverpool, Arne Slot is unlikely to accept complacency. Expect a professional display from the Reds, with a potential sprinkle of experimentation as Slot looks toward the future. Brighton’s returning players will boost their chances, but Liverpool’s depth and quality should be enough to edge this contest.
Predicted Score: Brighton 1-2 Liverpool
📅 Match Details
- Fixture: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League – Matchweek 37
- Date: Monday, May 19, 2025
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM BST
- Venue: Amex Stadium, Brighton
Final Word
This clash might not carry title implications, but it offers valuable opportunities: for Brighton to test themselves against the champions, and for Liverpool to build momentum heading into the final game of a truly historic season. With Arne Slot’s man-management shining through and the squad embracing a balanced training routine, expect a composed and clinical Liverpool side ready to finish the season strong.
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Thank you for your continued support, and let’s cheer Liverpool on to success in the upcoming match. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section. For further insights, you may explore the official Liverpool FC website by clicking here.
YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com