BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson backs Brighton to draw with Liverpool

BBC pundit Lawrenson played for Brighton between 1977 to 1981, before joining Liverpool and playing there until 1988.

Every week the 61-year-old predicts the outcome of every Premier League match and he says Brighton's strong home form is the reason he has gone for a 1-1 draw.

Premier League leaders Liverpool have lost their last two matches, to Manchester City in the league and Wolves in the FA Cup, while Albion are unbeaten in four matches.

The Reds beat Brighton 1-0 at Anfield earlier this season and Lawrenson said: "Liverpool have got a problem in central defence with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip injured, and I suspect Fabinho will play there - I can't see what else Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would do.

"Ki-Jana Hoever did great when he came on for Lovren against Wolves, but you would not want to chuck a 16-year-old in at Brighton because he would have Glenn Murray to contend with.

"I know the Seagulls are not the most attacking team, and Liverpool turned them over easily at Amex Stadium last season, but Murray against a kid? No, he would have too much experience for him.

"This is a really good test for Liverpool, on the back of their defeat by Manchester City and then their defeat at Molineux after Klopp decided the FA Cup was not in his top two priorities.

"It would clearly be preferable for Liverpool to be at Anfield as they look to bounce back this weekend, especially because the thing about Brighton is that they are very good at stopping teams from playing.

"Brighton have got a good home record too, which is why I am going for a draw here.

"I don't know whether this might be a little bump in the road for Liverpool but, if I am right and they drop points on Saturday, I would also back them to return to winning ways in their home games against Crystal Palace and Leicester before the end of the month.

"There are 11 days between the Palace and Leicester matches and, because Liverpool are out of the FA Cup, Klopp will be able to give his players a few days off to rest their bodies, and clear their heads."

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