As Liverpool and Brighton prepare to meet at Anfield, both managers arrived in front of the cameras balancing optimism with caution, clarity with guardedness — and both operating under the shadow of significant selection dilemmas. Arne Slot, firmly under the spotlight amid the uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future and involvement, gave a resolute but restrained performance. Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler, meanwhile, welcomed back key players while acknowledging the scale of the task his side faces on Merseyside.

Below, we break down what the managers had to say.

Slot: “The next time I speak about Mo should be with him.”

Liverpool’s head coach opened by confirming that everything hinges on a direct conversation with Mohamed Salah. He repeated it — firmly, politely, insistently — every time journalists tried to find another angle.

“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning and the outcome of that conversation determines how it will look tomorrow.”

No apology discussions, no tactical disputes, no insight into fitness or attitude — Slot pushed all of it into the private domain.

“What I need is a conversation with him… the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here.”

He confirmed multiple discussions have happened over the past week — involving the player, his representatives, the club — but refused to add anything further.

The message?
There is a situation.
Slot knows everyone knows there's a situation.
But the resolution, and Salah’s availability, will be determined “today”.

On Liverpool’s Resilience: “Difficult to beat — even in a tough period.”

Slot was far happier addressing football rather than politics. He highlighted the team’s hard-won consistency over the last four games:

“We’ve shown in the last four games that we were indeed difficult to beat… the team worked really hard, put a lot of effort in.”

He praised the defensive structure — noting that Alisson’s return is welcome, but Mamardashvili deserves credit for his recent contributions.

“I don’t think Giorgi or Alisson have had a lot to do… but it’s nice to have him back.”

On Home Form & Opposition Approach

Liverpool have not been their dominant Anfield selves this season — something Slot addressed quickly:

“I think we’ve struggled at home and away… far too many times.”

He was more pointed about the tactical trends he expects from Brighton:

“The league has become much more direct. But then there’s Liverpool — and how teams play against us in terms of how direct they play.”

Set-pieces, long shots, isolating 1v1s — Slot catalogued them all. His team knows what’s coming; the question is whether they’ve adapted enough to manage it.

On Ekitike & Isak as a Pair

While still early days for Liverpool’s new attacking combinations, Slot remains encouraged:

“The more they play together, the better they will co-operate.”

Isak’s knock adds uncertainty over whether the pair start again — but the manager reiterated that both remain more effective running in behind than competing for long balls.

On Squad Depth & Congestion

Slot offered rare honesty about Liverpool’s physical strain:

“I am almost happy that we’re out of the League Cup… players need rest as well.”

He name-checked Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Konaté and Gravenberch as players stretched by minutes and injuries around them.

The next few weeks, with fewer fixtures, could be transformative.

Hürzeler: “We want to face the best players — the challenge excites us.”

Brighton’s young manager brought contrasting energy: optimistic, upbeat, and quietly bold.

He confirmed that several key players return to the squad:

• Kaoru Mitoma
• James Milner
• Tommy Watson
• Yasin Ayari

And crucially, Evan Ferguson remains monitored but is still considered a long-term option despite loan chatter.

Hürzeler did not shy away from the prospect of facing Salah — if Salah plays.

“Maybe I should say hopefully he’s not available… but we always want to face the best players.”

He pointed out Salah’s remarkable record against Brighton — 17 goal involvements in 18 games — but insisted Brighton’s preparation must be inward-focused.

“It’s about us, our principles, our style of play.”

On Liverpool's Form: “Everyone is fighting each other.”

With just seven points separating 4th and 14th, Hürzeler framed the league as wide-open:

“There are maybe two clubs with consistency. All the others are fighting each other.”

He admitted Liverpool have been “up and down,” but noted Brighton are in the same boat.

On Expectation, Pressure & Slot’s Situation

Asked whether expectations at Liverpool have become too heavy, he offered empathy rather than critique:

“There are always expectations at big clubs… that’s part of being a coach in the biggest clubs in the world.”

Hürzeler also expressed admiration for Slot’s tactical work:

“You see a clear style of play. I have big respect for what Arne Slot achieved.”

On His Squad: Competition Returns

The injury to young star Stefanos Tzimas is a blow — Hürzeler confirmed an ACL rupture — but it opens doors for others.

“There might be new opportunities for other players… now it’s about them to recognize the opportunity.”

With Mitoma returning and Carlos Baleba soon departing for AFCON, Brighton’s internal competition is intensifying.

On Anfield & Mentality: “Belief is the big word.”

Hürzeler closed with a message both pragmatic and inspiring:

“We can beat big teams — we proved it. But we need belief. Without belief you can’t win this game.”

His team has gone to intimidating grounds before and performed well. He expects the same courage again.

Final Thoughts

Where Slot’s press conference was defined by one looming question — Salah — Hürzeler’s was defined by optimism, returning players, and a belief that Brighton can punch above their weight yet again.

Two managers at different stages of their Premier League journeys.
Two teams searching for consistency.
One match shaped by whether one of the league’s greatest forwards steps onto the pitch.