We knew that Liverpool would have to play well in order to get a victory against Brighton and we certainly did that, though one man’s performance was easy to admire.

Alexis Mac Allister followed up his goal-scoring display for Argentina in the week, by pulling off a performance that was described by Stephen Warnock as “quite brilliant.”

READ MORE: (Image) Mo Salah uploads second picture in four days with same ex-Chelsea teammate

Even former boss Roberto De Zerbi couldn’t help but praise the talents of the 25-year-old and highlights from his performance show why he was so widely appreciated and may even surprise some by being so impressive.

The only blemish was a yellow card but replays have shown that this was far from the right decision by another hapless official.

You can watch Mac Allister’s highlights via @LFC on X:

Best bits from Alexis Mac Allister's outstanding display against Brighton pic.twitter.com/72r36O5bdR

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 2, 2024

EOTK Insider with Jan Age Fjortoft: Why Alonso said no to LFC, who will replace Klopp now? The PL winners will be…

The post (Video) 25-year-old’s Anfield highlights against Brighton may surprise Liverpool fans appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Luis Diaz showed his predatory instincts to equalise for Liverpool against Brighton this afternoon.

The Reds recovered from the shock of conceding to a Danny Welbeck goal inside two minutes to draw level shortly before the half-hour mark.

A corner kick from the home side led to Joel Veltman botching his attempted clearance and the Colombian forward being alive to the loose ball to steer it past Bart Verbruggen from close range.

Brighton players shouted for offside but a brief VAR check confirmed the goal for Diaz.

You can view Lucho’s equaliser below, via @SkySportsPL on X:

Luis Díaz pounces and Liverpool are LEVEL! pic.twitter.com/CUdpsZcpUX

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 31, 2024

The post (Video) Luis Diaz shows expert goal-poaching instincts to draw Liverpool level v Brighton appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Roy Keane has claimed that Liverpool could conjure up a ‘crazy’ scoreline against Brighton at Anfield this afternoon.

The Reds could end the night top of the Premier League if they win today and the Manchester City v Arsenal clash is a draw, and the ex-Manchester United captain is expecting a backlash from Jurgen Klopp’s side after the agony of their FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

When asked for his prediction on The Overlap, the 52-year-old initially said: “All day Liverpool, the reaction after that. It’s going to be 4-0, it’s going to be crazy.” He later revised his predicted final score to a more sedate 3-1, with fellow pundit Gary Neville forecasting a 3-0 home win.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

If Liverpool are to prove the former United duo correct, they’ll need to manage something they haven’t done since November 2019 – stop Brighton from leaving Anfield with a result.

Paul Merson is expecting a far tighter contest than Keane and Neville, but Reds supporters would settle for any victorious scoreline if offered it right now.

When it gets to this stage of the season, and with so little to choose between the three title contenders, all that matter is getting victories on the board, even if they’re earned with grit rather than grace.

You can view the pundits’ Liverpool v Brighton predictions below (from 7:44), via The Overlap on YouTube:

The post (Video) Roy Keane makes ‘crazy’ prediction for Liverpool v Brighton, Gary Neville agrees appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Paul Merson has given his prediction for Liverpool’s Premier League clash at home to Brighton this afternoon.

The Reds will temporarily go top of the table if they avoid defeat at Anfield, but need a win if they’re to have any chance of ending the day in first place, with Manchester City and Arsenal facing each other a couple of hours later.

The Sky Sports has called both fixtures in his weekly Sportskeeda column, and while he expects Jurgen Klopp’s side to be given a fierce contest by the Seagulls, he’s backing a 2-1 home win.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

Merson wrote: “I think this is a hard game for Liverpool. A lot of people might think that Liverpool could just turn up and get the result here but Brighton, despite their struggles, are not going to be that easy to push aside. Brighton are yet another unpredictable team that turns up the odd weekend.

“We’ve got to that stage of the season where you have to win every game, especially when you’re chasing the title. This is a rather difficult phase because we’ve just had the international break and the players have been travelling and could be weary. For Liverpool, it’s one of those games that they just need to get out of the way.

“I don’t see this being a walkover by any stretch of the imagination, but Jurgen Klopp’s men should back themselves to pull off a narrow win here.”

READ MORE: ‘No, they’re not…’ – Sky pundit shares firm Liverpool verdict for Premier League title race

READ MORE: Table-topping manager set to rule himself out of the running for Liverpool – journalist

If Merson’s prediction turns out to be accurate, it’d give Liverpool a first home win over Brighton since November 2019. It was also 2-1 that day, with Alisson Becker sent off towards the end of that clash at Anfield.

A repeat of that scoreline would also see Klopp land a first victory over Roberto De Zerbi at the fifth time of trying, with the Italian bagging two wins and two draws against the Reds since he took charge of the Seagulls 18 months ago.

The south coast club have had the Indian sign over us in recent clashes, and their manager could see today’s fixture as a prime opportunity to stake a case to replace the man in the other dugout ahead of next season, with the 44-year-old one of the leading contenders to get the Merseyside gig.

However, as Merson says, it’s one of those games where Liverpool just need to find a way to win, even if it’s by the narrowest of margins. The City-Arsenal clash give us a glorious chance to steal a march in the title race, and it simply can’t be squandered.

It’ll probably be a very uncomfortable afternoon at Anfield, but the Reds have managed to get the job done more often than not this season, so they’ll back themselves to show the necessary qualities to end their curious Brighton hex today.

EOTK Stats Pack: Liverpool v Brighton – Form guide, De Zerbi’s hex over Klopp and MORE

The post Paul Merson backs Liverpool to do something today that they haven’t managed since 2019 appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Jurgen Klopp will have little interest in who is replacing him at Anfield, until the season has ended, but that hasn’t stopped him from assessing the talents of one candidate.

After news that Xabi Alonso will not be leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Paul Joyce named Roberto De Zerbi (alongside Ruben Amorim) as one of the lead candidates to take over from the German.

Ahead of facing Brighton, our manager discussed the talents of their boss: “Roberto is doing obviously an incredible job there and it’s a different game against Brighton, definitely.

READ MORE: (Video) Everything Jurgen Klopp had to say about Xabi Alonso’s bombshell announcement

“I think we improved over 18, 20 months since he’s there. The first game was surprising – I think we were the first opponent after he joined the club, if I’m right, and we had no clue what we have to expect.

“We knew how he played in his former club, we knew what Graham [Potter] did, but nobody knew how that would look in the end and it was quite impressive how quick he obviously got the team in his way.

“Since then, it only got better, it’s really impressive. It’s a different way of playing football.”

READ MORE: (Video) Xabi Alonso delivers statement that will end Liverpool fans’ dreams of Anfield arrival

It won’t be an easy task for the Reds as we try to beat a manager that we’ve yet to defeat since his arrival in the Premier League, knowing it’s a win that is all we can record.

The international break has allowed a chance to assess our future managerial options but from kick-off on Easter Sunday, it’s all about doing the job to end this season on a high.

You can watch Klopp’s comments on De Zerbi (from 2:48) via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

EOTK Close-up with Gregory Vignal: LFC Legends with Eriksson, Klopp’s successor & more

The post (Video) Not Alonso: Klopp assesses another candidate to replace him as Liverpool boss appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool fans may feel a sense of dread going into next Sunday’s clash against Brighton after news which was confirmed today.

The Premier League has named the refereeing appointments for the upcoming weekend’s fixtures, with two names who’ll be on duty for our match potentially striking fear into Reds supporters.

David Coote will be the man in charge at Anfield, with Paul Tierney on VAR. The team of officials is completed by Tim Wood, Mark Scholes (assistant referees), Craig Pawson (fourth official) and Dan Cook (assistant VAR).

READ MORE: ‘They keep watching me’ – 22y/o loanee says he’s constantly ‘in contact’ with Liverpool

READ MORE: ‘Turn it on’ – Ex-Everton winger drops title race prediction as Liverpool battle Man City and Arsenal

Liverpool fans could be despairing at the sight of Coote taking charge of the Brighton game, with the 41-year-old involved in a couple of notorious VAR incidents in the past which went against the Reds.

It was he who failed to recommend a penalty for a clear handball in the penalty area by Martin Odegaard in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal just before Christmas, while he was stood down for a matchday in October 2020 after he oversaw the game at Goodison Park in which Jordan Pickford got off scot-free for inflicting a serious injury on Virgil van Dijk.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

As for Tierney, his rap sheet against LFC is extensive – failing to send off Harry Kane for a horror tackle on Andy Robertson (on the same day that Diogo Jota was denied a stonewall spot kick against Tottenham); only a a yellow card against Oliver Skipp for an over-the-top lunge on Luis Diaz last season; two fair goals disallowed in our win away to Burnley on Boxing Day.

He was also the man in the middle when Rodri got away with a blatant handball in Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Everton two years ago, a result which ultimately helped them to pip Liverpool to the Premier League title by a single point.

It’s fair to say that both Coote and Tierney have their history when it comes to the Reds. Let’s just hope they’re not the two men dominating the discussion after the match against Brighton next Sunday.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards and a multi-club model, Alonso’s Liverpool-esque moment and much more!

The post Liverpool fans may be despairing over news that’s been confirmed today for Brighton clash appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool now know the dates and times for all of their Premier League fixtures in March after the selections for live TV coverage were confirmed on Monday evening.

The update fixture list was shared on the EPL’s official website (as well as liverpoolfc.com), with the Reds beginning the month away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday 2nd with a 3pm kick-off.

Then comes a pivotal showdown against Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday 10th, with an unusual start time of 3:45pm, before the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park the following Sunday at 2pm (although that game will be moved if LFC reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, which’ll be played that weekend).

Liverpool’s final game in March, and the first after the springtime international break, is at home to Brighton on Sunday 31st at 2pm.

READ MORE: Journalist: Liverpool were ‘five games away’ from ‘era of dominance’ under Jurgen Klopp

READ MORE: ‘You look at…’ – Neil Jones pinpoints one ‘positive’ Liverpool can take despite Arsenal defeat

It was inevitable that the Man City and Everton games would be moved due to our Europa League round of 16 tie on the Thursdays preceding those fixtures, while the other schedule change next month is bound to please Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool were handed a Saturday 12:30 kick-off immediately after all three international breaks in the autumn, much to the manager’s disgruntlement, but thankfully that isn’t the case this time around, with Brighton coming to Anfield on Easter Sunday afternoon instead.

The pause for national team action towards the end of March offers Reds fans one last breather before a potentially breathless final stretch to the season, and indeed the 56-year-old’s reign as our manager.

That international break is set to be the calm before a storm of fixtures in the final two months of the campaign, especially if we go deep into the FA Cup and Europa League.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Jurgen Klopp’s potential successors, reviewing Arsenal vs Liverpool, agreeing with Roy Keane and much more!

The post Liverpool’s March TV picks confirmed: Unusual City kick-off time and Klopp finally get his wish appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

One Premier League manager has admitted to being caught by surprise over a tactic used by Jurgen Klopp when his side faced Liverpool this season.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi gave an interview on Italian radio in which he said that his preparations for dealing with the Reds were made redundant by the role of Alisson Becker being tweaked in the 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium.

Speaking to Brescia Oggi about the ‘evolution of the role of the goalkeeper’, the 44-year-old said [via Sport Italia]: “Today he is becoming an additional player on the pitch at the time of construction. 

“I give you the example of two matches played this year by my Brighton, against Liverpool and Manchester City: I had prepared the defensive phase, in both cases, going man for man. 

“However, Klopp and Guardiola raised the goalkeeper a lot in relation to the penalty area, transforming him into an outfield player and definitely putting me in difficulty.”

READ MORE: Liverpool fans will revel in what Fabinho has said about whether Salah should go to Saudi Arabia

READ MORE: Romano: Liverpool could end player’s loan deal prematurely; decision due to be ‘made soon’

The irony of De Zerbi’s comments is that the Brighton game featured a rare mistake from Alisson, whose positioning for Simon Adingra’s opening goal that day left a lot to be desired.

However, it was apparent that Klopp wanted to use the goalkeeper as an extra player in Liverpool building out from the back in possession, in order to combat the Seagulls’ ability to press high. It was from such a scenario that the home side won back the ball in the move which led to the deadlock being broken.

It’s been noticeable that the 31-year-old hasn’t been asked to play so far up the pitch since that game two months ago, and whether the Reds will be able to spring such a ploy on De Zerbi’s team again for the Anfield fixture at the end of March is debatable.

Nonetheless, it’s interesting to hear the Brighton boss confessing to how Klopp’s tactical tweak caused him ‘difficulty’ that day in October, and it attests to the courage the German has in his convictions that he’d attempt something like that, even though it backfired for Adingra’s goal.

Anfield Annals: John Smith – Liverpool’s Red Knight and Most Successful Chairman

The post Premier League manager admits Klopp caught him cold with one tactic in Liverpool game this season appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

On Sunday, James Milner was reunited with many of his former Liverpool teammates for the first time since he left Anfield at the end of last season, and he unsurprisingly looked delighted to see them.

Now at Brighton, the 37-year-old welcomed the Reds to the Amex Stadium last weekend, although he still hasn’t played against the Merseysiders since March 2015, having not been in the Seagulls’ matchday squad two days ago (Transfermarkt).

LFC’s official YouTube channel shared previously unseen footage from after the game which showed the veteran meeting up with some of the men with whom he shared the home dressing room at Anfield in the past.

There was a friendly post-match conversation with Virgil van Dijk, while Kostas Tsimikas offered him a hug upon the pair reuniting in the tunnel.

Milner clearly made some lasting friendships during his eight years at Liverpool, and he can be assured of a glowing reception from the Kop when Brighton visit us for the return fixture at the end of March.

You can view Milner’s reunion with his former teammates below (from 15:08), via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

The post (Video) James Milner just loved reuniting with his former Liverpool teammates on Sunday appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez proved to be a very popular figure among some Brighton supporters prior to Sunday’s 2-2 draw between the teams.

LFC’s official YouTube channel shared previously unseen footage from the Amex Stadium, including a series of clips from around the ground before the match.

One of them showed the 24-year-old being called over by Seagulls fans who got in nice and early, and the Uruguayan stopped to shake hands, pose for selfies and sign autographs for those assembled.

Believe it or not, Nunez was actually linked with Brighton in the summers of 2020 and 2021 (Andy Naylor), but although he subsequently signed for Benfica and then Liverpool instead, he still seems to have plenty of admirers in Sussex.

It seems that the returning Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t the only Reds player to prove a smash hit among the home fans at the Amex on Sunday!

You can view Nunez’s interactions with the Brighton fans below (from 1:57), via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

The post (Video) Darwin Nunez was a smash hit among some Brighton supporters before Liverpool clash appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

It’s now been more than three years since Adam Lallana left Liverpool, but he and Jurgen Klopp clearly still have plenty of affection for one another.

The duo reunited at the weekend when the Reds took on Brighton at the Amex Stadium, with the midfielder and manager sharing a warm embrace upon meeting each other in the tunnel prior to the game.

It’s by no means the first time they’ve come up against one another since the 35-year-old’s exit from Anfield in 2020 – he’s actually played against us six times since then (Transfermarkt), although he didn’t make it onto the pitch on Sunday.

It may have been Brendan Rodgers who brought Lallana to Liverpool, but it was under Klopp that the player spent most of his Reds career and won the Premier League and Champions League, and the insider footage from LFC’s YouTube channel shows that he continues to adore his former boss.

It was a moment which’ll warm the hearts of every Kopite!

You can view the exchange between Lallana and Klopp below (from 3:11), via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

The post (Video) Lallana and Klopp exchange in Amex tunnel will warm the hearts of every Liverpool fan appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

David Seaman was critical of Alisson Becker’s positioning for Brighton’s first goal against Liverpool in the teams’ 2-2 draw on Sunday.

The home side struck first at the Amex Stadium when Simon Adingra found the net from almost 30 yards, taking full advantage of a collective litany of errors at the back from Jurgen Klopp’s side.

That included the usually rock-solid goalkeeper, who was caught in something of a no-man’s-land when the Seagulls winger took aim.

Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, the former Premier League-winning stopper said: “Alisson playing it out from the back, the defender losing it, and he’d be totally out of position. You know because of the way the ball went in. It wasn’t right down the post, it was in the goal a little bit.

“He just lost all his bearings, and that’s what happens when you’re outside your area and trying to get back. I always tried to use my penalty spot as my guide.”

READ MORE: ‘He’s a bit…’ – Outspoken pundit has one peculiar criticism of Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano outlines Liverpool’s stance on Stefan Bajcetic amid loan exit ‘speculation’

As much as we adore Alisson, we have to agree with Seaman that the 31-year-old’s positioning for Adingra’s goal was far from ideal, even if the Brighton youngster should never have been given the opportunity to let fly from distance.

That passage of play also highlighted the dangers which come from playing out from the back, a strategy preferred by many football managers in the modern era despite its inherent risks.

VOTE for Empire of the Kop as Best Club Content Creator (Premier League) here: Football Content Awards OR on X with Empire’s one-click X link with: I am voting in @The_FCAs for @empireofthekop in Best Club Content Creator (Premier League)

However, one misjudgment doesn’t detract from how magnificent a goalkeeper the Brazilian has been and continues to be for Liverpool.

The number of jaw-dropping saves he’s made since his arrival at Anfield in 2018 has led to him being regarded as arguably the best player in his position in the world, and without him it’s highly doubtful that the Reds would’ve enjoyed the success they’ve had under Klopp.

What happened on Sunday was nothing more than a rare blemish for the outstanding stopper.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 7 Review : Disaster for Liverpool, captain Watkins? Injuries piling up…

The post ‘That’s what happens…’ – Ex-EPL winner critical of Liverpool stalwart over one moment v Brighton appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Ian Doyle was left bemoaning the fate-tempting words of one fellow journalist in the press box at the Amex Stadium during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Brighton.

The comment in question was made when Solly March was lining up to take the free kick from which Lewis Dunk plundered the home side’s 78th-minute equaliser to ensure that the spoils were shared.

As noted by Doyle on X at the time, and highlighted again in a round-up piece for the Liverpool Echo, one local reporter’s 13-word quip was delivered with the sort of timing which wouldn’t be out of place in a TV sitcom.

The Brighton-based journalist said just as the free kick was about to be taken: “Not sure why people are getting excited, Brighton never score from set-pieces”.

"Brighton never score off set-pieces" says the local journalist sat next to us. Sure enough, cross comes in from March and the ball goes all the way through to Dunk to score. Another bad goal to concede

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) October 8, 2023

READ MORE: Michael Owen believes Liverpool were given title boost this weekend despite dropped points

READ MORE: Robbie Savage names 28y/o who’d be ‘a fantastic fit for Liverpool’ next to Szoboszlai and Mac Allister

The south coast reporter was right in one sense – Dunk’s equaliser yesterday was the first goal Brighton have scored from a set-piece situation in the Premier League this season, leaving just two teams who are yet to find the net from that scenario (WhoScored).

Jurgen Klopp will be fuming that the Seagulls broke that particular duck on Sunday, with the home side’s captain taking full advantage of hesitant defending by Liverpool to rescue a point for his team.

VOTE for Empire of the Kop as Best Club Content Creator (Premier League) here: Football Content Awards OR on X with Empire’s one-click X link with: I am voting in @The_FCAs for @empireofthekop in Best Club Content Creator (Premier League)

Even Roberto De Zerbi was saying that the free kick which led to the goal was wrongly given, but that shouldn’t detract from how poorly the Reds dealt with the subsequent situation.

It’ll be something on which the manager will surely be working stringently in training with the players available to him during the international break, and with the returning squad members once they’re back to prepare for the Merseyside derby on Saturday week.

EOTK FPL Gameweek 7 Review : Disaster for Liverpool, captain Watkins? Injuries piling up…

The post Liverpool journalist laments fellow reporter’s 13-word comment just prior to Brighton’s equaliser appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Dermot Gallagher raised a few eyebrows inside the Sky Sports studio when giving his verdict on a possible penalty shout in Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Brighton on Sunday.

The former top-flight official was making his customary Monday morning appearance on Ref Watch when he gave his take on the home side’s claims for a spot kick after the ball struck Virgil van Dijk’s arm inside the box.

Referee Anthony Taylor was unmoved but the incident infuriated Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi to the point where he was shown a yellow card for dissent.

Gallagher sided with the former, saying: “The evidence is there for everyone to see. It clearly strikes his thigh. His arm is by his side. It bounces up a few feet. It hits him, there’s no doubt about that, but you’d be absolutely stunned if a penalty was given for that.”

That verdict left the Sky Sports presenter in studio astonished, with a gasp of “Really?”.

We’re with the ex-Premier League referee on this one. As he correctly observed, the ball was hit at Van Dijk from close range and struck his thigh first before deflecting up onto his arm.

The handball issue can be a thorny one, but it would’ve been ridiculous if a penalty were given in that instance. Taylor got it right.

You can view Gallagher’s verdict on the penalty shout below, via @footballdaily on Twitter/X:

“You’d be absolutely stunned if a penalty was given.”

Dermot Gallagher on the Virgil van Dijk handball against Brighton. pic.twitter.com/iJZDdLXNkO

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 9, 2023

The post (Video) Dermot Gallagher stunned Sky presenter with verdict on penalty shout in Liverpool game appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Alexis Mac Allister followed up playing against his brother in the Europa League by facing his old club Brighton and his former supporters were quick to ensure he was given the reception he deserved.

After four seasons at the AMEX Stadium where the midfielder helped the club achieve their first entry to European football, it was only right they showed appreciation for his efforts.

READ MORE: Mac Allister takes the blame for Brighton opener as Liverpool draw before international break

It was refreshing to see home supporters not boo and jeer every touch of a former player, much like what Diogo Jota experiences whenever he returns to Molineux Stadium.

The interaction with both Roberto De Zerbi and the fans shows just how loved the World Cup winner was in East Sussex.

You can view the video of Mac Allister, De Zerbi and the Brighton fans via @Mundosuda on X:

Hoy Alexis Mac Allister volvió a jugar en la cancha del Brigthon después de su venta.

Al finalizar el partido, De Zerbi, su ex dt lo abrazó y pidió que se lo ovacione.

🥹 Que lindo que es este deporte. pic.twitter.com/9uaIh0MWgq

— MundoSuda (@Mundosuda) October 8, 2023

EOTK FPL Gameweek 7 Review : Disaster for Liverpool, captain Watkins? Injuries piling up…

The post (Video) Brighton fans give Mac Allister standing ovation after Seagulls return appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.