Brighton gets timely double fitness boost ahead of FA Cup game against Liverpool

Liverpool hosts Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, and the Seagulls have been handed an injury boost ahead of the clash

Mats Wieffer of Brighton(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Brighton has been handed an injury boost ahead of the South Coast club's trip to Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that versatile Dutchman Mats Wieffer is ready to return, having been missing since the end of December with a toe injury. Giving an update on the state of his squad after Brighton's defeat by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday, boss Hurzeler said: “No new injuries. Mats Wieffer will be back so that’s a positive one. He’s a big player with a big impact on our game. Big personality as well. So definitely we missed him and we're all happy that he's back now.”

The Seagulls remain without long-term absentees Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster, while Yasin Ayari is not yet ready to return to action.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is waiting to find out more about the extent of the injury that midfielder Wataru Endo sustained during Wednesday's win over Sunderland in the Premier League.

Endo was taken off on a stretcher during the second half, and Arne Slot admitted after the game that he expects the Japan international to be sidelined for some time.

"Yes, it's a serious one," Slot said. "How serious we don't know yet because it still has to be assessed tomorrow, but it doesn't look good.

"I'm not too sure [if it's his ankle]. It's his foot, but if it is his ankle or his foot, that is what we have to assess tomorrow.

Wataru Endo is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines(Image: Getty Images)

"I assume he will be out for a long, long time. What is long, it is difficult to say at this moment but you can hardly believe what this right full-back position brings us this season."

The Reds remain without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley, while it remains unclear when Jeremie Frimpong – who is nursing an injury for a third time this season – will return.

Frimpong's injury is not as bad as Liverpool first feared when he was forced off during the Champions League win over Qarabag, but he has now been absent for the Reds' last three games.

Dominik Szoboszlai will be available for selection once again after serving a one-game suspension against Sunderland, following his red card in stoppage time of Liverpool's defeat by Manchester City over the weekend.