Brighton missing two players vs Liverpool as Hurzeler confirms return of key attacker

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The Seagulls have improved in recent weeks following a tough winter, and have won three of the last four matches. The chances of that run continuing were strengthened by the return of a first-team regular

Fabian Hurzeler confirmed Karou Mitoma is back to face Liverpool

Brighton has been handed an injury boost with head coach Fabian Hurzeler confirming Kaoru Mitoma is available following a recent injury layoff.

The winger has endured a tough campaign with the Seagulls, playing just 19 Premier League matches due to injury. A foot problem forced Mitoma to miss nine league games before the turn of the year, but he has been a regular in the side since returning in mid-December.

The Japan international picked up a fresh knock in the defeat to Arsenal two weeks ago and was unavailable for last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sunderland.

However, speaking before the game, Hurzeler confirmed the attacker will be fit to take on Liverpool this weekend.

“Mitoma will be back to face Liverpool, said the Brighton head coach. “And nobody else is out.”

The Seagulls remain without Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas, who are absent with long-term injuries.

Mitoma is set to miss Saturday's game at the Amex

Brighton has won three of its last four games and has moved up to 12th in the table. Hurzeler’s front-foot, possession-based style earned praise from Arne Slot during Friday’s press conference, and the 33-year-old returned the favor when speaking to the media a few hours later, claiming his opposite number has come under undue pressure this season.

“I think football sometimes is not fair,” said Hurzeler. “He won the Premier League, he’s doing an incredible job, he’s having a really good style of football, he tries to develop the players.”

“Now against Galatasaray, for example, he played with a diamond. It was a great idea; it completely worked. He always finds good solutions in possession.

“You sometimes feel for your colleague. I went through a tough period so I can imagine how tough it is for him, but I’m 100 percent sure he’ll find a way out of it.”

Alisson is set to miss the game with a knock(Image: Getty Images)

Slot’s chances of earning victory at the Amex have been dealt a blow with new injuries to Alisson and Mohamed Salah this week.

The former pulled out of the Brazil squad on Friday and did not travel to Brighton with the rest of the squad. He has been struggling with a hamstring issue over recent weeks.

Salah sustained a muscle injury during the midweek win over Galatasaray and Slot confirmed he will not return in time for Saturday’s game. Liverpool’s No. 11 will also not feature for Egypt over the international break.