Liverpool vs Brighton: Confirmed Lineup - Szoboszlai & Kerkez Return in FA Cup Clash

Liverpool host Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup fourth round at Anfield on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with kick-off at 8pm GMT. Arne Slot has confirmed the Reds' starting XI, making several changes following their 1-0 Premier League win over Sunderland, where Wataru Endo suffered a significant injury.[2][5]

Dominik Szoboszlai returns from a one-match suspension and slots in at right-back amid Liverpool's defensive crisis, with Conor Bradley out for the season, Jeremie Frimpong sidelined with a muscle injury, and long-term absentees including Alexander Isak (broken leg) and Giovanni Leoni. Joe Gomez is back from a hip problem and starts in central defense alongside Virgil van Dijk, potentially resting Ibrahima Konate. Milos Kerkez reclaims left-back ahead of Andy Robertson.[2][3]

Confirmed Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Dominik Szoboszlai, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Federico Chiesa (or Rio Ngumoha), Cody Gakpo. Curtis Jones starts in midfield, with six changes overall from the Sunderland game. Hugo Ekitike drops to the bench as Gakpo leads the line.[2][3][5][8]

Liverpool advanced past Barnsley 4-1 in round three, goals from Szoboszlai, Frimpong, Wirtz, and Ekitike. They sit 6th in the Premier League with 42 points.[4]

Brighton, 14th with 31 points after a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, beat Manchester United 2-1 away in round three (Gruda, Welbeck). Predicted XI: Jason Steele; Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu; Jack Hinshelwood, Carlos Baleba; Simon Minteh, Diego Gomez, Kaoru Mitoma; Danny Welbeck. Injuries: Yasin Ayari (shoulder), Stefanos Tzimas, Solly March, Adam Webster.[3][4]

Watch on TNT Sports in the UK. Slot's rotations balance cup progression with squad management.[2][4]

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