Liverpool face Brighton at Anfield on Sunday looking to build on their dramatic comeback against Villarreal and secure Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League home win.

The 4-3 victory was the sort of Anfield night that can change the mood around a team. Two goals down, the Reds found a way back, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring twice and Florian Wirtz helping turn the game on its head before a late scare made the finish uncomfortable.

But the victory also offered a reminder of the work still required under Iraola. Liverpool were exposed during Villarreal’s early spell of pressure and allowed the visitors back into the game late on. Against Brighton, those lapses could prove costly.

Fabian Hürzeler’s side travel to Merseyside having won four consecutive Premier League matches, scoring 15 goals without conceding. Their recent results have included a commanding victory over Arsenal and a 5-0 demolition of Crystal Palace. Brighton are not simply enjoying a good run of results; they have demonstrated the attacking threat to trouble any side in the division.

For Liverpool, this is an opportunity to build on the resilience shown against Villarreal. It is also a test of whether they can produce a more controlled performance against one of the league’s most in-form teams.

Brighton’s approach under Hürzeler makes them an awkward opponent. They are comfortable keeping possession, but they also press aggressively and look to turn turnovers into immediate attacking opportunities. Their ability to move the ball quickly through midfield can leave opponents struggling to regain their defensive shape.

Iraola recognised the scale of the challenge in his pre-match press conference, describing Brighton as a well-coached side who are performing exceptionally well. He expects a contest between two teams who want to control the game, press their opponents and win individual duels.

That could make Liverpool’s first pass out of defence particularly important. If they can bypass Brighton’s initial pressure, there should be opportunities to attack the spaces left behind. If they repeatedly lose possession in dangerous areas, however, Brighton have the quality to punish them.

Liverpool showed against Villarreal that their attacking players can produce decisive moments even when the team is under pressure. The next step is to create those opportunities without allowing the game to become as open as it did in Europe.

The comeback against Villarreal was encouraging, but Liverpool cannot rely on repeatedly recovering from difficult positions. Their defensive organisation will be under scrutiny, particularly if Brighton can isolate defenders or force Liverpool’s midfield to retreat towards their own penalty area.

Ryan Gravenberch’s versatility could be important. He moved to right-back during the Villarreal match, helping Liverpool deal with the visitors’ central overloads while offering support in possession. His availability in midfield after serving his domestic suspension gives Iraola another option, although the eventual shape will depend on the personnel selected.

Alexis Mac Allister will also be central to Liverpool’s efforts to control the match. His two goals against Villarreal illustrated his ability to arrive in the penalty area, but his contribution before the break was equally important as Liverpool adjusted their midfield positions and began to retain possession more effectively.

The challenge against Brighton is to combine that attacking threat with greater control of transitions. Liverpool have enough quality to hurt the visitors, but they must avoid giving Hürzeler’s players the kind of space that makes their pressing game so dangerous.

Liverpool remain without Dominik Szoboszlai, while Jeremie Frimpong and the long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are also unavailable. Victor Muñoz is a doubt after picking up a knock against Brentford, but Bradley Barcola has been passed fit following an individual recovery session.

Barcola’s availability gives Iraola another option in attack, while Rio Ngumoha’s performance against Villarreal has strengthened his claims for further involvement. The 18-year-old provided two assists and repeatedly threatened defenders, although the demands of Sunday’s contest may influence whether he starts or is used from the bench.

Liverpool’s congested schedule is another consideration. Iraola has stressed the importance of rotation as the team moves through a demanding run of fixtures, with further domestic matches against Chelsea and Arsenal to follow.

Brighton have also rotated heavily, making eight changes for their midweek Conference League draw with Jablonec. Their ability to refresh the side without sacrificing the principles of their approach could be important at Anfield.

Liverpool’s European form has offered encouragement, but the league remains the more pressing measure of their progress. Iraola is still seeking his first Premier League home victory at Anfield, and Sunday’s match presents an opportunity to change that.

Brighton’s recent results mean they are unlikely to be intimidated by the occasion. They have the attacking quality to test Liverpool and the confidence that comes with a sustained winning run.

For Liverpool, the task is to make the Villarreal comeback a foundation rather than a distraction. They must retain the aggression and attacking intent that transformed Tuesday’s match while showing the composure required to manage Brighton’s threats.

Another thrilling contest would delight the Anfield crowd, but Iraola will want more than drama. Against one of the Premier League’s most in-form sides, a controlled performance and three points would represent a more meaningful step forward.