Arne Slot says it is harder to motivate Liverpool, having already wrapped up the Premier League title, with a trip to Brighton next up on Monday.

The Reds wrapped up the league title at the end of April, but have seen their form falter since then, losing 3-1 to Chelsea before giving up a 2-0 lead to draw with 10-man Arsenal last weekend.

However, they are looking to add to their impressive away form this season – despite losing two of their last three games on the road, a goal against Brighton will mean they have scored in every away match this term.

Slot gave his players extra time off before this game, with the squad travelling to Dubai while he was in Spain, and though he believes that will benefit them, he acknowledged that with their goal complete, it is harder to keep their motivation.

"I think the honest answer is yes [it is difficult to motivate players]," Slot said. "Although I cannot look into all of their heads.

"I think the honest answer is that there is a difference, but if I look at the way we played the Arsenal game, I saw a team that wanted to compete against Arsenal from the first second until the last.

"It doesn't matter if you won the league; if you play Chelsea away, Arsenal at home and Brighton away, these are difficult games to play. That's why I was also so happy that we were already enough points clear to clinch the title against Tottenham."

Brighton, meanwhile, know that eighth place could still be enough to play in the Europa Conference League next season, depending on factors including Chelsea's result in that competition's final.

The Seagulls, who are level on points with eighth-placed Brentford, have regained their rhythm after a slight wobble in March and April, and are unbeaten in their last three matches, while they have lost just one of their last seven Premier League home games (W4 D2).

Fabian Hurzeler is boosted by injury returns for the run-in, with some key players back in contention for Monday.

"Lewis [Dunk] is back in the squad," he said. "Joel [Veltman] will be back in the squad. It's all very positive news.

"Kaoru [Mitoma] had some minor issues, so hopefully he will be a possibility for us in the squad. Igor is also part of the squad, for sure. Overall, it's very positive and we have more options."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck is enjoying his best-ever goalscoring season in the Premier League, having hit double figures in the competition for the first time (10).

He has been involved in four goals in his last five Premier League appearances against Liverpool (two goals, two assists).

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah could make his 300th Premier League appearance in this match. He would be just the fourth African player to reach this milestone.

He has scored 16 away goals in the Premier League this season, the joint-most in a single campaign in the competition's history (level with Harry Kane in 2022-23 and Kevin Phillips in 1999-00).

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Having lost four of their first five Premier League home games against Liverpool (D1), Brighton are now unbeaten in their last two against the Reds at the Amex Stadium in the competition.

However, Liverpool have won their last two Premier League games against Brighton, having won just one of their previous seven against the Seagulls beforehand (D4 L2).

A goal in this match will see Liverpool become only the ninth side to score in 100% of their away games in an English top-flight season (something the Reds have never achieved in any league season before).

They have not lost their final away league game in any of the last six campaigns (W4 D2) since a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in 2017-18. Their last two have seen 14 goals scored in total – a 4-4 draw with Southampton in 2022-23 and a 3-3 stalemate with Aston Villa last season.

Brighton lost 2-0 to Manchester United in their final home league game of 2023-24, but have not done so in consecutive campaigns since a run of three between 2005-06 and 2007-08.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brighton – 36.8%

Draw – 24.7%

Liverpool – 38.5%