Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool: The key points from Chris Hughton's pre-match press conference

Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography

Brighton manager Chris Hughton spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of Saturday's match with Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Here are the key points from his pre-match press conference.

Injury news

"Bernardo will miss the game. Apart from Jahanbakhsh and Izquierdo, there's no other fresh injuries."

Izquierdo injury

"It's not long term. It's the type of injury where we've got two ways of dealing with it.

"We could push him a little bit harder than we are at the moment to get him ready but we're delighted with his progress.

"The decision we've made is to take it a little bit slower to make sure we have no problems with it but he's coming along nicely.

"He'll miss the weekend and we'll try to get him back as quick as possible."

Albion's performance at Anfield in 1-0 defeat earlier this season

"It was a really pleasing performance early in the season and we found it very difficult on the road last season.

"It was a performance which didn't get us a result but we were very close to it. We will definitely have to be somewhere close to that to even think about getting something on Saturday."

How do you set up against Liverpool?

"You have to have a defensive strategy, I don't think there's any team that plays against them that can afford to go into a game without that, even Manchester City.

"Manchester City would have to be mindful of the qualities Liverpool have.

"You also have to have a strategy to get out, to keep hold of the ball and determine the best way to win the game.

"We are going to have to have periods of the ball, that goes without saying. The longer and more often they have the ball, what they have showed is they will break you down with the quality they have.

"Certainly a defensive strategy is needed but we have to make sure we give them a game."

Will Brighton's home form make it difficult for Liverpool?

"If they think that, that's respect to the club and players and the job they are doing.

"A Liverpool team coming here and playing at their best, it's incredibly difficult to do anything about.

"It goes without saying a good day for us would have to be us playing somewhere near our best or playing very well and a Liverpool team not playing so well.