Many of the experts believe that if Manchester City fails to repeat as Premier League champions this season, it will be due to Liverpool. Liverpool have looked great through the first two games of the campaign, and they have yet to concede a goal. The Reds improved more than any other Premier League heavyweight during the Summer transfer window, and they will look to keep that strong start going when they take on Brighton this Saturday.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Anfield in Liverpool at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 25, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Brighton & Hove Albion +1724
Liverpool -666
Draw +698
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
Odds Analysis
Brighton & Hove Albion are feeling fantastic right now. The club did not get off to a great start this season, losing 2-0 to Watford in their opener. In that match, Brighton failed to record a single shot on goal although they did have some really good chances.
The Seagulls are ecstatic after beating heavyweight Manchester United though. Brighton made the decision to counterattack against Jose Mourinho’s squad and it worked to perfection. Glenn Murray opened the scoring in the 25th minute, and Brighton quickly made it 2-0 after a Shane Duffy goal in the 27th minute. Pascal Gross pushed Brighton ahead by two goals once more just before half following a tally from Romelu Lukaku that cut the lead in half. From there, Brighton just defended like mad and held on for a 3-2 win after Paul Pogba scored a penalty kick at the death.
Liverpool were known for their underwhelming performances against some of the lower tier Premier League teams last season. While the Reds were able to compete with, and beat, the best of the best often, they would frustrate their supporters and manager Jurgen Klopp by dropping points against teams they should easily beat.
That has not been the case through two games this year. Liverpool jumped on West Ham early and did not look back in their opener, picking up a 4-0 win. In that match, Mo Salah opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Sadio Mane secured a brace by the 53rd minute, and Daniel Sturridge put the icing on the cake in the 88th minute. They had a bit tougher time on the road against Crystal Palace last week, notching just one goal in regular time before Sadio Mane salted the game away with an injury time goal, but a win is a win in the Premier League.
Key Injuries
There is something of a leadership concern for Brighton heading into this match. The leaders of the back line, captain Bruno Saltor and vice-captain Lewis Dunk, are both set to miss the match and both players might be out until mid-September. That means players like Shane Duffy and Gaetan Bong will have to assume more prominent roles in defense. Midfielder Jose Izquierdo and forward Florin Andone might return for this one, but both players are listed as doubtful.
The Reds were bit hard by the injury bug last season, so it’s a relief that only two players are on the injury report now. Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a long-term scratch and likely won’t return until next season, but there is a chance that center back Dejan Lovren is able to play. He is listed as doubtful due to a hip injury.
Player to Watch
Liverpool smashed the world record for the transfer price of a goalkeeper when they signed Alisson Becker from Roma a few weeks before the start of the season. The Reds knew they could not bring back last year’s starter, Loris Karius, after his two major errors in the Champions League Final, yet not many expected them to go out and break the bank to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Alisson has played great so far and is the only goalkeeper with two clean sheets after two games, but his play in big matches will determine whether or not he was worth the dough.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Anfield is one of the toughest places to play in the Premier League. Liverpool are going to be very tough to beat at home this season, and they will notch another victory here.
English Premier League Odds: Liverpool 3, Brighton 1
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