The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round takes center stage this Saturday, February 14, 2026, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool (6th in PL) welcomes Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion (14th in PL) to Anfield. Kick-off is set for a primetime 20:00 GMT.
Both teams enter this tie seeking a momentum shift. Liverpool is reeling from a painful 2–1 home defeat to Manchester City on February 8, while Brighton is desperate to snap a dismal run of just one win in their last 11 league matches, most recently falling 1–0 to rivals Crystal Palace.
Match Information
| Feature | Details |
| Competition | Emirates FA Cup (Fourth Round) |
| Date | Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET |
| Venue | Anfield, Liverpool |
| Referee | Stuart Attwell |
| TV Channel | TNT Sports 1 (UK) / ESPN+ (US) |
Liverpool: Navigating the Injury Crisis
Arne Slot has faced a difficult February, with his squad depth tested by a series of high-profile absences. The loss to Manchester City not only hurt their league standing but also saw Dominik Szoboszlai pick up a red card, though his suspension applies to the upcoming trip to Sunderland rather than this cup tie.
Team News and Selection:
Defensive Woes: The right-back position is a major concern. Conor Bradley is out for the season (knee), and summer signing Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined for several weeks with a muscle injury.
The "Isak" Absence: Star striker Alexander Isak remains a long-term absentee after undergoing leg surgery in December.
Wait for Wirtz: High-profile signing Florian Wirtz is pushing for a return to the starting XI to provide the creative spark missing in recent outings.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitiké.
Brighton: Hürzeler’s Youth Movement
Fabian Hürzeler, the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history, has stuck to his guns despite a testing winter. In the recent "M23 Derby" against Palace, he handed a start to 17-year-old Harry Howell, signaling a clear intent to trust the club's academy during this rough patch.
Team News and Selection:
Teenage Dreams: Expect 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas to potentially lead the line again, with veteran Danny Welbeck providing an experienced option off the bench.
Midfield Engine: Pascal Groß and Carlos Baleba remain the reliable core of the midfield, while Kaoru Mitoma continues to be the primary threat on the flank.
Absences: Yasin Ayari (shoulder) is out, joining long-term absentees Solly March and Adam Webster.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Groß, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Kostoulas.
? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats
Earlier This Season: Liverpool defeated Brighton 2–0 at Anfield in the Premier League in December 2025.
Goal Fever: History suggests goals; over 67% of recent meetings between these two have exceeded the 2.5 goal mark.
Common Scoreline: The most frequent result at Anfield between these sides is a 2–1 Liverpool win (occurred 3 times).
Recent Form: Liverpool (L-W-W-L-W) vs. Brighton (L-D-L-D-W) in their last five across all competitions.
Tactical Preview and Prediction
Arne Slot will likely demand a dominant response following the City defeat, utilizing Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitiké to exploit Brighton's high defensive line. Hürzeler’s Brighton will not change their philosophy; they will look to press high and dominate the ball, but their recent vulnerability in transition could be their undoing at a raucous Anfield.
Given Brighton's current lack of confidence and Liverpool's need to salvage their season via silverware, the home side is a heavy favorite to progress.
Final Score Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Brighton
