Liverpool

Brighton, who have made a brilliant start to the season, head to Anfield to face Liverpool as part of a run of five successive away games. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Sunday's fixture.

Brighton fans in dreamland

Just when Brighton fans thought their excellent start to the campaign couldn't get much better, their side went and scored three goals in the first 10 minutes against Crystal Palace en route to equalling their joint-biggest win against their bitter rivals set way back in January 1956 in the old Third Division South.

Winning four league games in a row by an aggregate score of 15-0 has naturally led to a raft of articles examining their title credentials. That kind of talk may be premature but their blistering beginning has meant the rewriting of their record books.

The 23 league goals they have scored at a rate of 3.3 per game is the most they have netted after seven games of any season in the top four tiers. Across Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona - with a frankly ridiculous 39 from their nine La Liga games - have scored more so far in 2026-27.

Just three sides have ever scored more after seven games of a Premier League season - Arsenal in 2009-10 (24), Manchester United in 2011-12 (24), and Manchester City in 2019-20 (27). Curiously, none of those sides went on to win the title.

The Seagulls kicked off a run of five games on the road across 14 days in three competitions as their second string drew 0-0 against Jablonec on Thursday. As well as this match at Anfield, they face back-to-back matches at Manchester City, which will give a good indication of what Fabian Hurzeler side could go on to achieve this season.

Liverpool looking to right home wrongs

While yet to find the kind of fluency opponents Brighton have shown this season, Liverpool have only lost one of Andoni Iraola's first 11 matches in charge - and that was against a fired-up Manchester City.

Their past two Champions League games have certainly provided plenty of entertainment, with a whopping 16 goals scored. Ten in the 'for' column is highly impressive but Iraola will not have enjoyed seeing his side conceding six, many of which were avoidable.

The Spaniard will be urging the Reds to transfer their cup form at Anfield into the Premier League. If they fail to beat the Seagulls it will be only the fourth time in their history that they have not won any of their first four home league games of a season after the 1894-95, 1911-12 and 2012-13 campaigns. They last won a home league game on 25 April against Crystal Palace.

They can at least call upon a strong record against Brighton in front of their own supporters, losing just one of their past 13 encounters.

Alexander Isak was their matchwinner last weekend at Brentford and his five goals in five league games is as many as he managed in his previous 20 for both Newcastle and Liverpool. Firmly finding his feet after such a horror start, the Swede has not been on the losing side in his past 15 top-flight matches.

Another big signing who remains under constant scrutiny is playmaker Florian Wirtz. After creating a whopping nine chances from open play against Brentford, he now tops the Premier League charts for that metric this season. However, for all the German's scheming, his assist for Victor Munoz last Saturday was only his second in the league this season.

Rio Ngumoha had no such troubles in a player-of-the-match display against Villarreal. The 18 year-old was devastating, ending the game with two assists, seven completed dribbles and the most touches in the opposition box (12).

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Lewis Koumas has talked to BBC Radio Merseyside about making his Liverpool debut, learning from Alexander Isak and the year of breakout stars.

The young forward has been in the Liverpool system since joining from Tranmere Rovers at under-11 level, but earned his place in Andoni Iraola's squad this season after impressing the head coach during the summer.

"I don't think it's something you expect - it's something you have to work and train for," Koumas said.

"The message was sent through training, being there every day and then, after the tour, it was sort of like: 'You're going to be solidified in the first team.'

"For me and my family, it was just a massive moment - we're all massive Reds. It wasn't long ago that we were going to games in the stands so to be a part of it now is a really special feeling."

Koumas has made nine appearances so far this campaign and scored his debut goal in the Champions League against LASK. With forward Hugo Ekitike still out of contention through injury, the 21-year-old is expected to continue playing a big part for the Reds.

When asked whether he has been absorbing traits from starting striker Alexander Isak's game, he said: "I'm definitely learning a lot. But he's a really nice guy first of all, and the player speaks for himself.

"What he did at Newcastle was unbelievable and then he's come to us and he's started to apply the goals now, which is really important. Unbelievable player; I'm always looking to take bits of his game into mine."

This season hasn't only been a breakthrough for Koumas, but also for 19-year-old Trey Nyoni and 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha. The pair both made their Liverpool debuts under previous managers but have settled in under Iraola.

"Trey and Rio are an unbelievable pair of players," Koumas said. "Rio speaks for himself, especially a couple of nights ago [when] he was unbelievable against Villarreal. But he's only going to get better and the sky is definitely the limit for him.

"The same for Trey, unbelievable player, really tidy. Hopefully they just keep getting better now."

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Forward Bradley Barcola trained normally on Friday having held an individual session on Thursday, and is fit. However, it will be "difficult" for Victor Munoz to be ready in time, with the winger still dealing with "some pain" following a knock he picked up against Brentford last week.

• Dominik Szoboszlai also remains unavailable but Iraola said the midfielder isn't far from a return to full training.

• On managing team selection, he said: "With everyone it's about feeling as they are. We are changing the team a lot because we are playing basically every three, four days. Sometimes the players are tired or there is more risk involved and we are deciding with more rest or to use more fresh legs. It's going to continue being the same."

• Iraola said the way he wants his team to play means it is not possible for his players to give less than 100% and still win games. He added: "Imagine I am a right winger and we don't have a right winger on the bench, I will put someone as a right winger. Give everything for 65, 72 [minutes] and then someone will do the 18 or 25. We need to play full gas."

• Liverpool have drawn all three Premier League games at home this season but have secured three victories across other competitions at Anfield. Iraola said: "I want to win games. Home, away, we need points wherever we can get them. Three games we haven't won, but also our [other] three games have been high level – Atletico, Villarreal, Spurs – and we won them with good performances. We play at home the next two games so I would love to win them, but if we were playing away I would say the same."

• On the impact of Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni breaking into the first team, he said: "They are supporting each other. You could feel it straight away, even in pre-season with the ones who played the games."

• He continued: "After their performances they were looking at each other, praising each other. When they see one of them getting a start in the Champions League or in the Premier League, maybe it's not themselves but they feel it like, 'OK, I am close to being there'. It's something that's going to be good for them, and also good for the ones in the second team who are looking and have played with them."

• Iraola played Ryan Gravenberch in a more advanced role against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, and the head coach said although the midfielder is "versatile" and can "do a job" in many positions, he sees him as a number eight.

• On facing in-form Brighton, who are third in the table, he said: "They are doing incredibly well. They deserve all the praise they are getting and I think there is little doubt that it is a team that is very well coached. Very good in every phase of the game; without the ball they are one of the best teams and also with the ball they have good quality. We need to be at our very best because right now they have confidence - but I also see my team in a good place."

Hit play above to hear more from Iraola or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to Sunday's full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds from 13:55

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Forward Bradley Barcola was absent from Liverpool training on Thursday before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield.

According to Sky Sports News, Barcola, who came on for Rio Ngumoha in the 74th minute against Villarreal on Tuesday, was doing an individual recovery session at the AXA Training Centre.

Victor Munoz, who missed the 4-3 midweek Champions League win, also did not train and looks like a doubt for Sunday because of a knee problem.

Andoni Iraola is next scheduled to speak to the media at 13:30 BST on Friday.

The Brighton game will be Liverpool's fourth in the space of 15 days since the end of the international break.

Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai are all currently sidelined.

Come back to this page on Friday for all the key lines from Iraola's news conference.

The full match highlights of Liverpool's stunning comeback against Villarreal are now available.

It was a victory that saw Andoni Iraola's side keep up their high-scoring and match-winning form in the Champions League, with three wins from their first three fixtures in the league phase.

Relive how Liverpool came from two goals down, through Alexis Mac Allister's double and Rio Ngumoha's creative play, below...

Liverpool are not in any rush to open contract negotiations with Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister despite the 27-year-old's upturn in form this season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Liverpool and a number of top European sides are interested in signing 18-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora from Tijuana. (Marca), external

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Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has backed the red card shown to Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch against Manchester City.

The Netherlands international was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for two bookable offences, the first caution coming in the 47th minute for a trip on Elliot Anderson.

"I think the first foul is never a yellow card," Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said after the game. "These kinds of games, just a stomp on the big toe, or something minor."

Gravenberch received his second yellow card in the 62nd minute for bringing down Jeremy Doku, who could have started a promising attack for City.

The game was goalless at the time, and City went on to win 3-0.

The KMI Panel makes a judgement on both yellow cards when assessing a red card shown for two cautions, but it was a 4:1 vote in favour of the referee's decisions.

Only one panel member voted it to be a mistake on-field, on the basis that the foul on Anderson was not a yellow card offence.

The video assistant referee is now able to initiate a review on the second yellow card element, but the choice to make no intervention was supported by the Key Match Incidents Panel unanimously.

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Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says he felt like he was watching "a basketball game" as Andoni Iraola's side came from two goals down to beat Villarreal in the Champions League.

The Reds have now conceded 10 goals across their past four games in all competitions, having shipped three against Manchester City, LASK and Villarreal throughout October.

"It is very much a basketball game when you watch Liverpool at the minute," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "It is very much end-to-end stuff because they don't really have too much control of their games.

"Iraola will be looking at it and wondering how to solve it. He is dealing with a lot of injuries at the moment, so he might have to play people out of position or play a couple of younger players, but the key is getting the balance right."

One player who rose to the occasion once again with a "fantastic" performance, in the words of former Premier League winger Ashley Young, was 18-year-old Rio Ngumoha.

"You have to play with confidence and showcase your confidence as a winger," Young said. "He showed exactly what he's about against Villarreal, despite still being so young and still being in the process of learning.

"His performance showed Iraola that he can trust him to start in these big games. He will be delighted to have shown that level of performance in the Champions League.

"He even had the biggest smile on his face when he sat down on the bench, and it is vitally important for him to feel that way."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds here

Rio Ngumoha should be able to state his terms on a new contract.

That's the view of The Red Kop's Chris Coughlin as the panel on this week's BBC Radio Merseyside show consider the winger's impact in the win at Brentford.

Take in a clip of Coughlin, Paul Salt and Mike Hughes discussing Ngumoha above.

Listen to the full episode of The Red Kop on BBC Sounds here

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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Virgil van Dijk hailed the "outstanding" Rio Ngumoha after the 18-year-old delivered a man-of-the-match display against Villarreal at Anfield.

"He's pretty electric at times and he showed it again. He was a complete threat constantly and their defender had a tough time," said Van Dijk.

Ngumoha got two assists as Liverpool came from behind to win 4-3 against the Spanish side.

Asked who has taken Ngumoha under their wing since the departure of Mohamed Salah in the summer, Van Dijk added: "A few senior players - I would say Cody (Gakpo) is definitely part of that. But everyone has that role in order to help the youngsters in the group, the players who have not had so much experience.

"Everyone is chipping in but for him to work with Mo (Salah) last year was obviously massive as Mo was one of the best wingers at the club and experienced everything so why not soak in all the information and show it on the pitch and show your own qualities? I think he has shown it this season but there is still much more to come."

Van Dijk's early error led to Villarreal taking the lead and the Liverpool captain admitted that it was an uncharacteristically poor performance from him.

"It was a terrible start. I think the saying is you fight an uphill battle and as a defender it is pretty difficult to come back from it," he said.

"I tried but it was a bad day at the office personally but we do it together with 11 players. We turned it around and that's the main thing.

"Unfortunately in life these things can sometimes happen. Fortunately it didn't happen too many times in my Liverpool career but tonight I wasn't the best. But we won and it's not about me - it's all about us. We got the three points."

And the 35-year-old praised Liverpool's character as they came from behind to win for the second time in four days after their win at Brentford on Saturday.

"Obviously we don't want to put ourselves in a position where you have to come back from anything and that's what I did from the start," he added.

"But then there was the fightback and the moments we created because we have to remember they are very good team on the ball and they showed that with a lot of movements and rotations on the ball.

"It's not easy to find the space. It wasn't a great first half but we got it turned around and now we have to get ready for Brighton - a super team - which is coming."

We asked for your views on Tuesday's victory against Villarreal in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Sam: We all wanted exciting football back, but this is getting a little too exciting with the constant feeling we can lose it even when ahead. We're finally scoring goals, but please keep your composure when ahead!

Fraser: Shambolic first half. We created our own problems in that first half, Virgil van Dijk especially had a mare. Second half was miles better, except that final few minutes. Rio Ngumoha was fantastic and our best player without a doubt, he has so much potential. Will be overshadowed but Florian Wirtz had a very good game as well, we instantly got better when he came on. Glad to see him finally get a goal.

Angela: We really have to do so much better in defence and in transition. Lovely to win but that game could so easily have gone the other way. Sharpen up boys.

TM: Liverpool were all over the shop today. Lucky we were playing an inferior team. A quality side will hose us.

Earl: Virgil was at fault for the three goals conceded against LASK last week, and he was awful against Villarreal. It may be time to consider giving him a rest, and give Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet a run in central defence. On the plus side, great to see Wirtz come on and take the game by the scruff of the neck, and Alexis Mac Allister is back to his best. As for Rio, he has progressed from all the showy stepovers to delivering substantial contributions. It's going to be a fascinating season!

Stuart: Rightly punished early on by Villarreal. I liked how Andoni Iraola spotted the weakness and remedied it. Ryan Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni and Mac Allister improved as the game progressed. Rio Ngumoha was incredible. He must start against Brighton on Sunday!

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

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The match statistics alone from Tuesday's victory over Villarreal in the Champions League showed what a threat Rio Ngumoha can be.

He had 12 touches in the opposition box, completed seven out of eight dribbles, and registered two crucial assists.

But watching Ngumoha is more than just a numbers experience. There's a fearless nature to his play that can get the crowd going, and he was the one bright spark in a first half where Liverpool lacked any sort of rhythm.

In a game increasingly focused on structures, Ngumoha's raw ability to take a man on is what helps to set him apart.

"He was magnificent tonight," said former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime.

"On the ball, this kid has so much potential - and I say 'kid', but he's a young man. He has so much quality and it's stuff that you can't teach to be honest.

"What he does with the ball at his feet - that is God-given ability - and his hard work on the training pitch, doing things day in and day out, and being ruthless, is what he said in his interview, and I like that. He wants to be decisive, and I love that."

Ngumoha, who has grown up playing down the left, has struggled to get minutes on his preferred side this season, especially with Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola often playing down that flank.

But head coach Andoni Iraola wants his wingers to be able to play on both sides and Ngumoha's improvement on the right flank has been impressive in such a short space of time.

Ngumoha also spoke about his rapid development on the right on Saturday, after Liverpool beat Brentford.

"I feel like I've got a lot better playing there from the Newcastle game [at the start of this season] until now," Ngumoha said.

"I'm understanding it more. And going away with England helped a lot as well. I like playing on both sides. It gives me another tool in the toolbox."

Read more about Ngumoha's display here

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Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Arguably the star of the show will be Rio Ngumoha.

We're starting to see signs that he is starting to show the potential we knew he had. Now we're starting to see a little bit more end product.

It was a big night for Liverpool and much-needed as well.

If you play against a better team and give them that start, you will get punished, and it will be a lot more difficult to come from behind.

However, you've got to praise the mentality, praise the changes of Andoni Iraola.

Something he did really well at Bournemouth was that he found solutions, whether that was with personnel who he didn't think would play in certain positions.

Tonight he put Ryan Gravenberch at right-back. I thought he was outstanding in the second half. Gakpo going more narrow, Wirtz coming on. I think it changed the game.

Read more punditry analysis here

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Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to Amazon Prime: "A lot of things happened today. They were much better than us in the first half, and we were much better in the second half. When we've been under pressure, we answered well. When we relaxed, we made mistakes. You cannot relax against very good opposition. I value the win.

"We have to know that if we don't go to the limit, it will be difficult. We are facing very good teams. It's good to come back, but we've started losing too many goals this season.

On Brighton: "They are flying. Their confidence is through the roof. A similar style to Villarreal. They are second in everything after Barcelona. It has been a good game to prepare and we will use it.

On Rio Ngumoha: "I am really happy with Rio. He is trying to improve everything that we try to correct. He is playing a lot more on the right and he has adapted really well. He's going more inside. He struggled defensively in the first half. The second half was much better. He's becoming a more complete player. He's still only 18.

"In the first half, they were overloading the middle. We decided to put Ryan [Gravenberch] at right-back and be more of a threat working with Rio. I value Ryan a lot.

"We decided to try a bit more one-sided, help more on the left. From there, we finished the first half well and started the second half really well.

On almost playing for Liverpool: "I had a couple of moments. Even after Rafa. I was so happy where I was playing. A lot of players want to play for Liverpool."

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It was a top performance from the boys. We were two goals down but the mentality was always there. We knew we were going to win.

"It's up there with one of the best I've played. I enjoyed myself and the team helped me a lot.

"Whenever I get the ball and there's an opportunity to go one v one or two v one, I believe in myself. I'll just keep going and be ruthless."

On becoming Liverpool's youngest player to assist in the Champions League: "These records are amazing to break but winning is the most important."

On playing on the right: "It's helped me a lot in training with the gaffer, the coaching staff and the players."

On hearing his name chanted: "We have the best fans in the world and to hear my name chanted is a dream."

Did you know?

• Liverpool have won a European Cup/Champions League game in which they were two goals down for the second time, previously doing so against Villarreal in the semi-finals in May 2022.

• Rio Ngumoha (18y 52d) is the third-youngest player to provide multiple assists in a Champions League game behind Warren Zaïre-Emery v Milan in 2023 (17y 231d) and Theo Walcott v Hamburger SV in 2006 (17y 250d).

Liverpool starting XI:

Alisson: Will be disappointed to have conceded three times, but in fairness to him all of Villarreal's goals were taken well. 5

Ronald Araujo: Was nowhere for Villarreal's second goal but scored the leveller for Liverpool and his celebration summed up how much the Anfield crowd are growing to love the Uruguayan. Replaced at half-time. 6

Jeremy Jacquet: An unusually poor first half and perhaps fatigue has had a part to play, but did look more like his usual self after the break. 6

Virgil van Dijk: Had a shaky start and made an uncharacteristic error that led to Villarreal's opener. Better after the break but will not be happy that Liverpool conceded three. 5

Kostas Tsimikas: Was too deep for Villarreal's second goal and had a shocking start, but the left-back got the assist for Mac Allister's first goal and improved as the game went on. 6

Trey Nyoni: One of the few bright sparks for Liverpool and continues to impress. Kept the ball well, always positive and nearly scored his first Liverpool goal too. 7

Alexis Mac Allister: Started poorly but scored a great header to get Liverpool back in the game and then struck again. 8

Rio Ngumoha: Easily the best player on the night. Got two fine two assists and was simply too good for Sergi Cardona. The 18-year-old is some talent and someone that the Anfield crowd will enjoy watching for years to come. 9

Ryan Gravenberch: Initially started in Liverpool's number 10 role but moved to right-back after half-time and did his job. 7

Cody Gakpo: Struggled initially on his first start since September but got the corner that led to Mac Allister's first goal. 6

Lewis Koumas: Can't fault his lack of effort. This was another solid shift, but he lacked that decisive edge in front of goal. 6

Liverpool substitutes:

Florian Wirtz (on 46, Araujo): Liverpool looked much more threatening after he came on and the German took his first goal of the season really well. 8

Alexander Isak (on 66, Koumas): Didn't do much after coming on. 5

Joe Gomez (on 74, Jacquet): 5

Bradley Barcola (on 74, Ngumoha): 5

James McConnell (on 81, Nyoni): 5

Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Kerkez, Chambers, Danns, Laffey.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

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Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies.

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Fenerbahce v Slavia Prague (17:45)

• Sabah v Borussia Dortmund (17:45)

• Liverpool v Villarreal

• Manchester City v AEK Athens

• Napoli v Bodo/Glimt

• Paris St-Germain v Barcelona

• Porto v PSV Eindhoven

• Roma v Slovan Bratislava

• Stuttgart v Atletico Madrid

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

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Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One from 22:40 to 00:00 on Wednesday.

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