Firmino says Liverpool will have to be at their best to beat Brighton

The Premier League leaders head to the Amex after back-to-back defeats to take on a Seagulls side who are unbeaten in four matches.

Brighton have lost just twice at home this season, to Tottenham and Chelsea, and Firmino said: "That’s one of the reasons why it’ll be a difficult game.

"It will be tough. It’s a good Brighton team, so we’ll have to be at our best to try to win the game. It’ll be a great game, an excellent match, very competitive.

"There are no easy games in the Premier League. It’ll be another difficult game, but one where we’ll do our best to win. We have to maintain our focus and consistency to stay at the top."

Firmino added Liverpool will be looking to bounce back after their defeats to Manchester City and Wolves and said: "It’ll be a difficult game. Losing is obviously always bad; nobody likes to lose, and certainly not me. But now we’ve got to bounce back. We’ve worked hard every day so we’re prepared for the weekend. It’ll be a big game, a difficult game and we’ll do our best to get the three points."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp added he expects a tough afternoon at the Amex and said: “It’s really difficult in the Premier League to be in the position they are in and not have massive money.

“Dunk and Duffy are outstanding centre-halves. Balogun I know from Germany is a fantastic boy to step in if he is needed and the full-backs are really smart.

"Propper is playing his best season in England and is a good pairing with Stephens. Having Gross around them in midfield, or a big higher, means they are really creative.

"Then Murray or Andone are brilliant strikers and then on the wing you have March, Knockaert or Locadia. They're all different players but again have speed and technical ability.

“It is just a good team. They are in the shadow of all other teams but then you think ‘oh right, we could have had this player as well.’

“We will try everything to win that game.”

Klopp added midfielder Fabinho may have to play in central defence, with Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren out although Joel Matip returned to training yesterday.

Klopp said midfielder Jordan Henderson will return to training today.

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