Liverpool's Confirmed XI vs Brighton as Arne Slot Makes Five Changes

Liverpool hosted Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with kick-off at 8 p.m. GMT. Arne Slot made five changes to the lineup following a 1-0 Premier League win at Sunderland, where Wataru Endo suffered a serious foot injury, ruling him out long-term alongside Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak, and Giovanni Leoni.[1][2][3][9]

Dominik Szoboszlai returned from a one-game suspension and slotted straight back into the side, likely at right-back amid Liverpool's defensive crisis. Joe Gomez, recovered from a hip issue, was available and featured. Curtis Jones earned a start in midfield, bringing energy to the engine room.[5][9]

The confirmed Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1 formation) was: Mamardashvili; Szoboszlai, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Chiesa; Gakpo. Key regulars like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté (in some reports), Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo retained their places, with rotation allowing opportunities for Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal and Federico Chiesa up top. Florian Wirtz continued in attack.[1][2][3][8][9]

Slot's tweaks balanced cup rotation with the need for competitiveness, especially after a recent 2-1 league loss to Manchester City dented title hopes. The FA Cup remains a priority for silverware alongside the Champions League.[1][3]

Brighton, sitting 14th in the Premier League after a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, fielded a predicted lineup of Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Boscagli, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Gómez, Mitoma; Welbeck, missing Yasin Ayari and long-term absentees like Adam Webster.[1][3]

Both teams advanced from the third round: Liverpool thrashed Barnsley 4-1, while Brighton upset Manchester United 2-1. The match aired on TNT Sports in the UK.[2][4]

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