Programme notesArne Slot: Facing Brighton is a challenge we have to be ready for

Anfield hosts an all-Premier League fourth-round tie this evening as Brighton & Hove Albion visit.

The Reds go into it buoyed by the manner of their 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Wednesday night.

In his column in tonight's matchday programme, Slot writes: "There was so much about our performance at Sunderland that I liked and I hope that you did too.

"The conditions that the game was played in was far from ideal with the constant rain making the pitch increasingly heavy as the game went on, but we handled this really well and were able to play our football as well as showing the kind of character and togetherness that are required in these circumstances.

"In terms of performance, my only real disappointment was a familiar one – we could and definitely should have scored more goals.

"This does not seem like a season in which things will be made easier for us but we can make them easier for ourselves and had our finishing been better, that would have been the case.

"In addition to this we also lost Wataru Endo to injury, which is another big setback for him and for us.

"At the time of writing these notes we do not know how long Wata will be out for, so I can only hope that the injury turns out not to be as bad as we fear it might be.

"I was asked earlier in the week whether I feel we have been unlucky this season and that is certainly true in terms of the injuries we have suffered.

"Wataru was the latest player operating at right-back to be affected, but as with all of these situations we have no option other than to accept the situation and get on with it.

"This applies to ourselves as a team but for the individual affected I would like nothing more than to see Wata return as quickly and as well as the injury allows.

"Not for the first time on Wednesday night, he demonstrated the character of a Liverpool player and I could tell because I heard how much he is appreciated by our fans.

"Mentioning the supporters is so important because the impact they can and do have on us when we need them most could hardly be greater.

"This was especially true in Sunderland and although it is not new, it felt even more noticeable and impactful because of the wider situation and also because of the need for us all to stick together.

"There will always be noise on the outside, especially when we have setbacks and tough moments, but the noise from our fans at Sunderland could not have been more positive and supportive.

"Given how bad the weather was and how far away the Stadium of Light is from Liverpool, it is an obligation to thank those who travelled there to support us on a Wednesday night but the nature of their backing only makes my gratitude even greater.

"My expectation is that we will need the same tonight because everyone knows the quality that Brighton will bring and we are also aware that they reached this stage by winning at Old Trafford in the last round.

"I would like to welcome Fabian Hurzeler, his players, staff and the directors and supporters of Brighton to Anfield for tonight's game.

"I know this is a different competition but I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate James Milner for equalling the Premier League's appearance record.

"I was not fortunate enough to work with James at Liverpool but I know from speaking to our own staff, players and supporters just what a special individual he is and how highly regarded he is at this club.

"Tonight he is an opponent of course, though, and given the standards he has set for himself and for others throughout his career, we should expect Brighton to bring a challenge that we have to be ready for."

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