Liverpool v Brighton preview

Liverpool continue their quest for a cup double when they renew their rivalry with Brighton at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Kenny Dalglish's team are already in the Carling Cup final, having knocked out the Seagulls en route, and are awaiting their Wembley showdown with Cardiff on 26th February.

They also want to continue to progress in the FA Cup, which was the last trophy they won in 2006, and the fifth-round home tie against Gus Poyet's Brighton has been viewed as favourable.

But the Championship play-off hopefuls will be intent on some revenge after the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at the Amex in September courtesy of goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt.

With no European commitments this season, Liverpool will be well rested since last Saturday's Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

Controversy

Luis Suarez made his first start in that match since returning from his eight-game ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra and the striker is again likely to be under full scrutiny.

Poyet has offered support for Uruguayan compatriot Suarez throughout the row with Evra, but the Liverpool star caused fresh controversy last weekend.

When refusing to shake United defender Evra's hand, Suarez set off new outrage and has since apologised for his actions.

Brighton travel to Anfield in form having not lost in the Championship in seven matches to leave last season's League One winners sitting ninth in the second division.

The club can also take spirit from their last FA Cup meeting with Liverpool when 21 years ago they defeated the Merseysiders in a fourth-round replay on the South Coast.

Brighton also came out on top when the club's last met in the fifth round at Anfield, with the visitors going on to suffer heartbreak in the final when they lost a replay to United in 1983.

Unbeaten run

Dalglish, with no fixture congestion to contend with, is expected to name a strong starting line-up and Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll could all start the same Liverpool game for the first time.

Indeed, Suarez, and Glen Johnson, have yet to play for Liverpool in the FA Cup and the former will be hoping to become only the second Uruguayan to appear in an FA Cup final. The first was Poyet.

If he plays on Sunday, Jamie Carragher will equal Ian Callaghan's club record of 210 cup games for his club.

Despite their unbeaten run, Brighton were not at their best in Tuesday's draw with Millwall and Poyet will demand improvements.

Winger Will Buckley will be welcomed back after missing the midweek outing, while Vicente Rodriguez is facing a late fitness test.

Poyet will be without the injured Gary Dicker and Tommy Elphick, while Matt Sparrow completes a three-game suspension.