Liverpool vs Brighton: Preview as Ngumoha meets in-form Brighton

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, who is England-born and eligible for Nigeria, is predicted to start against in-form Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, while Nigeria international Femi Azeez is still waiting for his competitive debut for the visitors.

Match facts

Form guide

Brighton are third with 16 points and have won their last four league games, scoring 15 goals and keeping four clean sheets. Liverpool are fifth with 12 points. Ngumoha played in Liverpool's Champions League match against Villarreal at Anfield on Tuesday.

Key battles

The Nigerian connection

Ngumoha, born in London on 29 August 2008, is described as England- and Nigeria-eligible, with dual nationality listed for both countries. A start against the league's form side would be another appearance for a winger who could still choose to represent Nigeria.

Azeez is a 25-year-old Nigeria international winger who joined Brighton on deadline day from Millwall. He has not yet played a competitive game for the club. Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler said this week that Brighton must be patient with him. “With Femi, again we have to be patient with him,” he said, adding: “It's not quite clear how long it will take.”

Soccernet looked at what that means for the Eagles in its piece on Azeez's return date.

Analysis: a young winger against a side that does not concede

Brighton's run of four wins and four clean sheets is the number that shapes the afternoon. A defence that has not conceded in its last four league games asks different questions of a winger than one that is leaking goals. If Ngumoha starts, he is up against a defence that is not conceding.

Liverpool, fifth on 12 points, are four behind Brighton, so the match is a chance to close that gap at home. Ngumoha's involvement in midweek and the expectation that he starts suggest his role is growing. Soccernet previewed an earlier Ngumoha game in LASK against Liverpool.

Verdict

Brighton arrive with the better recent record and Liverpool have the home advantage and the more powerful attack, so neither side should find it easy to win. A high-scoring draw looks the fairest outcome.