Brighton vs Liverpool kick-off delayed due to traffic accident
The Premier League has pushed back kick-off for Brighton’s clash with Liverpool by 15 minutes following a road traffic accident on the A27, reports BritPanorama.
The match at the Amex Stadium was originally set to begin at 12:30pm but will now get underway at 12:45pm. Heavy congestion in the area has left many fans struggling to reach the ground in time.
The Premier League Match Centre confirmed the news on X, stating: “Kick-off for today’s Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool has been delayed by 15 minutes to 12:45pm, due to heavy traffic in the local area delaying the arrival of supporters.”
Although fans faced difficulties getting to the stadium, Brighton appeared to have received advance warning of the delay, appearing to hold off on their pre-match warm-up as officials worked to accommodate the stranded supporters. TNT Sports presenter Lynsey Hipgrave reported that many empty seats remained as fans battled to gain entry.
“There has been an accident on the A27 heading towards the AMEX today. So long tailbacks outside so they’re going to hold the match back a little bit just to try and get as many of the supporters in as they can,” she explained.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is also dealing with a significant selection headache for this fixture, with both goalkeeper Alisson Becker and star forward Mohamed Salah ruled out due to injury. Giorgi Mamardashvili will replace Alisson, while Cody Gakpo comes into the starting eleven to fill the void left by Salah’s absence. Liverpool currently sit fifth in the table with 49 points from 30 matches.
Brighton head into this fixture in fine form, having claimed victory in three of their last four Premier League outings. They have maintained the same lineup that secured a win against Sunderland last weekend. Manager Fabian Hurzeler spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the match, expressing confidence in his squad’s capabilities.
“We will stick to our principles and not get distracted by the lows we have had. I am a big believer in this team and the quality of these players,” he said. Hurzeler also stressed the importance of playing with intensity against top-flight opposition, noting that his side must capitalise on Liverpool’s lengthy journey south.
As the delay unfolds, it serves as a reminder of how logistical challenges can impact the rhythm of a matchday, with even the most anticipated fixtures susceptible to disruption.
