Premier League Saturday preview: Liverpool eye victory by the seaside

 Premier League Saturday preview: Liverpool eye victory by the seaside

There are big games at both ends of the table today as the Premier League roars back into action following the midweek European fixtures.

Liverpool can go top with a victory at Brighton, while Manchester City will look to kick-start their league campaign at home to Burnley.

Leeds must try and stop their slide down the table against high-flying Everton and winless duo West Brom and Sheffield United meet tonight to cap off the action.

Brighton vs Liverpool (BT Sport, 12.30pm)

Mohamed Salah is available for Liverpool after missing the 3-0 victory over Leicester due to coronavirus.

The Reds have never lost a top-flight game at Brighton, winning the last nine meetings with the Seagulls in all competitions.

After sitting out the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atalanta, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are both pushing to be involved as Jurgen Klopp’s champions bid to return to the top of the table. 

They will face a Brighton side looking for their first back-to-back victories in 12 months following a 2-1 win over Aston Villa last weekend. 

Adam Lallana will have his thigh injury assessed to see if he is ready to face his former employers, while Solly March and Leandro Trossard are fit.

Manchester City vs Burnley (BT Sport, 12.30pm)

Manchester City will hope to find their Premier League scoring boots when they face a Burnley side shorn of No1 Nick Pope.

City have not scored more than twice in their last six games — their worst run since a 14-game streak in 2006.

Sergio Aguero (pictured above) may make his return from injury to hand the hosts a boost, with only Nathan Ake definitely absent.

Sitting 13th in the table at the start of the day, City will be looking for their seventh consecutive victory against Sean Dyche’s Clarets.

As well as Pope, Dyche must do without Robbie Brady and Dale Stephens as the visitors bid to build on their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Everton vs Leeds (Sky Sports, 5.30pm)

Everton will be hoping history repeats itself when they host Leeds at Goodison Park.

Leeds have never beaten the Toffees away in the Premier League in 12 attempts and come into the game with just one victory from their past five games.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men bounced back from three successive defeats to beat Fulham 3-2 last time out and can go third if they pick up three points. 

They will be without Lucas Digne after he injured ankle ligaments in training and skipper Seamus Coleman is also out.

Marcelo Bielsa could give record signing Rodrigo a first start since the Spaniard shrugged off coronavirus, while Patrick Bamford will lead the line as he looks to score in a fifth consecutive away game.

West Brom vs Sheffield United (Sky Sports, 8pm)

Basement boys West Brom and Sheffield United meet in the Premier League for the first time in what could prove to be a crucial clash at The Hawthorns.

Both sides have yet to taste a league victory this season — the Baggies are 19th with three points and the Blades are bottom with just one.

No team have conceded more than the 18 West Brom have let in, while Sheffield United's four goals scored is the worst in the league.

Slaven Bilic can take comfort from the fact the home side have lost just one of the last 17 fixtures between the bottom two, but he looks set to be without Jake Livermore and Kieran Gibbs again due to coronavirus.

Lys Mousset may return for the Blades after resuming training and Enda Stevens will also be pushing for selection after missing the 1-0 defeat to West Ham last Sunday.