Hurzeler confirms key return ahead of FA Cup tie with Liverpool

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler confirmed that Mats Wieffer will return for the FA Cup match against Liverpool, emphasizing his importance to the team. While Jan Paul van Hecke should start, Yasin Ayari remains sidelined. Liverpool’s Joe Gomez is back, but Wataru Endo is out for the season due to an ankle injury.

INMR

February 13, 2026

2–3 minutes

2025/26, Arne Slot, Brighton, FA Cup, FA Cup Preview, FA Cup Round 4, Fabian Hurzeler, football, liverpool, Liverpool vs Brighton, Mats Wieffer, news, UPDATES

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Mats Wieffer will be available for his side’s upcoming FA Cup clash against Liverpool.

Hurzeler said: “Mats Wieffer will be back, so that’s a positive one.

“Mats is a big player who has a big impact on our game. He has a big personality as well. So we definitely missed him and we are all happy that he’s back now.”

Embed from Getty Images

The Albion manager also provided updates on Jan Paul van Hecke and Yasin Ayari’s fitness.

He said: “Jan Paul should be okay to start again. Yasin Ayari is still missing. He is doing rehab, but he’s getting closer. We expect him to be back soon.”

In terms of Liverpool, Arne Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez is back but Wataru Endo will be out for a long time.

The Japanese midfielder broke his ankle against Sunderland mid-week and could be out for the remainder of the season.

Embed from Getty Images

Slot said: “He’s a good centre back and midfielder as well. If you look at those positions, we are quite vulnerable if something happens.”

The Liverpool manager suggested that youth prospects Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni could be an option tomorrow night.

The hosts will be favourites heading into the tie, as Brighton are currently enduring a poor run of form. They have won just one of their last 13 Premier League matches.

What is going on at Brighton and Hove Albion?

Despite the Seagull’s bad run, Slot was full of praise for the visitors. He said: “They absolutely don’t deserve to be in the position they’re in at the moment. They play so much better than the league table shows.”

Hurzeler insisted he feels no pressure regarding his job. He said: “I really feel the support from the club. We have daily exchanges. We speak quite honest with each other. We talk about the reality where we are at the moment.”

The 32-year-old added: “I really see a team that really comes together, that shows a great togetherness. In football we need to focus definitely on the results. The fans deserve results. The result we need is a win.”

The fourth round clash kicks off at 8pm on Saturday 14th February at Anfield. The winner will be ball one in the fifth round draw which takes place on Monday night at around 6:35pm.