Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool

Liverpool will travel for the last time in the 2024–25 season on Monday night when Brighton & Hove Albion hosts at the Amex in an attempt to avoid going three Premier League games without a victory for the first time this season.

While the Seagulls defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in gameweek 36 and could yet make it into Europe, the Reds' title celebration was momentarily ruined by Arsenal last weekend. Fans of Liverpool could easily count on one hand how many poor choices Arne Slot has made this season, but the Dutchman may have made a crucial one during last weekend's visit to Arsenal, against whom the Reds jumped out to a 2-0 lead due to goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

Arsenal’s Comeback Stuns Liverpool

The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime, with a revitalized Arsenal side halving Liverpool’s lead through Gabriel Martinelli’s strike. Shortly after, Trent Alexander-Arnold, soon to join Real Madrid, entered the pitch to a chorus of jeers from the home fans.

Liverpool’s lackluster second half had already dampened the mood, and introducing the outgoing local star only worsened matters for the Premier League champions. Alexander-Arnold’s error in keeping Mikel Merino onside led to Arsenal’s equalizer, resulting in a 2-2 draw against their nearest rivals—a term used loosely. This marked only the third time in Premier League history that Liverpool failed to secure a home victory after leading by two or more goals at the break. The Merseysiders already seem to have one foot on the beach—or in manager Arne Slot’s case, perhaps at Ibiza’s Ocean Beach club.

For Liverpool fans making the trip south on Monday, the prospect of the Reds going three Premier League games without a win for the first time this season is unwelcome. Notably, Liverpool haven’t lost their final away match of a campaign since the 2017-18 season.

Brighton’s Push for Europe

Elsewhere, Brighton delivered a strong performance in their second-to-last away game, defeating Wolves at Molineux. Veteran striker Danny Welbeck, formerly of Arsenal and Manchester United, reached double digits in Premier League goals for the season with a penalty, followed by a late goal from Brajan Gruda. This victory kept Fabian Hurzeler’s side in contention for eighth place, which could secure a Conference League spot.

Even after Crystal Palace’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City, eighth place might still earn a berth in the third-tier European competition if Chelsea claim the FA Cup but finish sixth or seventh in the Premier League. This keeps Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, and Fulham in the race.

After a tough spell between March 15 and April 19, where Brighton earned just two points from 15, the Seagulls have bounced back, collecting seven points from their last nine available in the Premier League. However, their inability to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six home games is a concern.

Brighton have struggled against Liverpool this season, losing 3-2 at home in the EFL Cup and 2-1 at Anfield shortly after. Still, the Seagulls haven’t lost to Liverpool in a Premier League match at the Amex Stadium since March 2022.