Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler on Liverpool’s Big Test in Pre-Match Presser

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler spoke ahead of his side’s Premier League trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 25 October 2026, kick-off 2pm. The match is Matchweek 8 and Samuel Barrott is the referee.

His comments centred on the availability of Minteh and Wieffer, a possible return for the Manchester City games next week, and the need to protect players during a busy run of fixtures. Brighton are third in the table and Liverpool are fifth.

Minteh’s return

“There is an option. Especially with Minteh, there might be an option. But definitely next week”

What he said

Hürzeler was asked about players returning from absence and said Minteh could be an option for the Liverpool game, while pointing to next week as a firmer date.

What he meant

Analysis: the words “there might be” followed by “definitely next week” suggest Hürzeler is not counting on Minteh for Sunday. He has left the door open without committing to it.

Brighton’s recent results give him room to be patient. They have won five and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions, scoring 17 and conceding two.

Training before a decision

“They will train tomorrow with the team and then we will see if they are available or not.”

What he said

Hürzeler said Minteh and Wieffer will train with the team before any decision is made on whether they are available.

What he meant

Analysis: the call on both players will depend on how they come through training with the group. No decision had been made when he spoke, and none of the Brighton absences in the squad information include either player.

Five Brighton players are listed as out: Stefanos Tzimas (cruciate ligament tear), E. Ferguson (ankle), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring), Femi Azeez and Zadok Yohanna (both fitness).

The City games

“If they are not available for his game then I am quite convinced we will see them back in the squad next week for the [Manchester] City games.”

What he said

Hürzeler said that if the players miss the Liverpool match he is “quite convinced” they will be back in the squad for next week’s games against Manchester City.

What he meant

Analysis: Hürzeler is already looking at the fixtures after Sunday and is setting out a timeline for the squad. His wording gives a return date without making a promise about the Liverpool match.

The schedule is demanding. Brighton played on 15, 18 and 22 October, three matches in eight days, before travelling to Anfield.

Struijk’s fitness

“It is not a big issue but it is something that can get bigger if you risk it too early”

What he said

Hürzeler was asked about Struijk’s fitness and described it as not a big issue, but one that could worsen if the player is rushed back.

What he meant

Analysis: Hürzeler is weighing the risk of a longer lay-off against the benefit of having the player available now. The phrase “too early” suggests he would rather wait than push a minor problem.

Brighton already have five players listed as unavailable, which gives that caution a practical side.

Managing player health

“We have so many games and we have to take care of the health of the players. We have to make wise decisions.”

What he said

Hürzeler said the number of games means the club has to look after the health of its players and make wise decisions.

What he meant

Analysis: this ties his earlier answers together. Brighton have played six matches between 16 September and 22 October, the latest a 0-0 draw away to Jablonec, and Hürzeler is treating availability as a matter of workload as well as injury.

Liverpool have also played often, with three matches in seven days between 14 and 20 October, and have six players listed as absent: Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Vitezslav Jaros, Hugo Ekitiké, Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong.

Confidence check: Measured

Hürzeler sounded measured. He did not rule players in or out for Sunday, repeated that decisions would follow training, and spoke about wise decisions and not risking players too early. He made no claim about the match itself in the quotes provided.

The form and table facts are strong. Brighton are third with 16 points from seven games, having scored 23 and conceded five, and have won four and drawn one of their last five league matches. Liverpool are fifth with 12 points, having scored nine and conceded eight, and have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five.

Liverpool lost 0-3 at home to Manchester City on 11 October but have won their four matches since in all competitions. Brighton’s caution over fitness comes alongside results that have not forced his hand.

How to watch

Liverpool vs Brighton kicks off at 2pm UK time on Sunday 25 October, live on Sky Sports Premier League, NOW. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.

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