Liverpool FC asked me four questions about Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler – and I said this
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Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is preparing his team to face Liverpool twice in four days. Tomorrow night the Seagulls welcome Arne Slot’s men to the Amex Stadium for a fourth round Carabao Cup clash.
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Hide AdBrighton, who are sixth in the league standings, then travel to Anfield on Saturday to take on second-placed Liverpool in the Premier League.
It’s a testing time for Brighton who are currently struggling with a host injuries – including their skipper Lewis Dunk, who could miss both matches with a calf problem.
Ahead of the double-header, LFC contacted Sussex World to get the lowdown on all things Brighton and Hurzeler…
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Hide AdHow would you say Brighton's season has gone so far under Fabian Hurzeler? A very solid 8-10. Sixth in the Premier League with 16 points from nine matches is good going for Hurzeler in his first season.
Brighton invested heavily during the summer with more than £200m spent on the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter and Ferdi Kadioglu. It has given Hurzeler plenty of attacking options from the bench... something they perhaps lacked in the past few seasons.
Has Brighton's style of play changed much since his arrival? It has not changed drastically from Roberto De Zerbi's team of last season but Minteh and the fit-again Kaoru Mitoma now offers Hurzeler's team plenty of pace in wide areas.
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Hide AdThe high defensive line was the most notable change in tactics from the German head coach, but that has been adapted slightly following their chaotic 4-2 loss at Chelsea last month.
Who's been Brighton's standout players so far this season? Danny Welbeck. The 33-year-old is playing some of the best football of his career and the former Man United and Arsenal man has six goals already this term.
Tends to play higher up the pitch these days and he has formed a good partnership with Rutter, who arrived from Leeds for £40m. Carlos Baleba is also well worth a mention. He's the main man in Brighton's midfield this term having joined from Lille for around £20m in 2023. Very powerful, athletic and likes a shot from distance.
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Hide AdPredicted line-up? Carabao likely XI: Steele; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Wieffer, Hinshelwood; Adingra, Enciso, Gruda; Ferguson. Premier League likely XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood, Ayari; Mitoma, Rutter, Welbeck.
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