Brighton Boss Hurzeler Gives Yankuba Minteh Anfield Return Update 2026

Key Points

• Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler reveals that Yankuba Minteh “might be an option” ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield.
• Minteh hasn’t featured in any competitive games so far this season after picking up a leg or ankle injury in a pre-season friendly victory over Roma back in August.
• The 22-year-old Gambian wing has needed surgery and has been out for several months of this season recovering from his injury.
• Liverpool were interested in signing Minteh last summer when there have been different figures about how much Brighton offered for him in transfers reported, as £50 million and £60 million by The Athletic and two bids of around £70 million by SussexWorld.
• Hurzeler says Minteh is “close” to making a comeback, will train with the team on Saturday and should be fit for the games against Manchester City next week, in case he doesn’t play against Liverpool at Anfield.
• Another player who is close to coming back is midfielder-turned-defender Mats Wieffer, who is recovering from a knee injury like Minteh.
• Brighton go to Liverpool as the third team in the Premier League table, four points above Liverpool, who are sitting in fifth, having won their four consecutive.

Anfield (Liverpool standard) October 23, 2026 — Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Yankuba Minteh could be included in the squad for Sunday’s Premier League visit to Liverpool at Anfield, although the winger’s return from a long-term injury may come too soon for the fixture.

Will Yankuba Minteh Face Liverpool at Anfield?

As reported by The Athletic, Hurzeler said Minteh “might be an option” for Brighton’s match at Anfield on Sunday, while adding that the winger and Mats Wieffer are expected to train with the first-team squad on Saturday.

“Especially with Minteh, there might be an option. But definitely next week,”

Hurzeler said, as quoted by The Argus.

The Brighton manager added:

“They will train tomorrow with the team and then we will see if they are available or not. If they are not available for this game then I am quite convinced we will see them back in the squad next week for the City games.”

Minteh has yet to make a competitive appearance this season. He was injured during Brighton’s 3-0 pre-season victory against Roma at the Amex Stadium in August, with SussexWorld describing the problem as a leg injury and The Athletic reporting that it involved an ankle injury requiring surgery.

What Did Fabian Hurzeler Say About Minteh?

Speaking at Brighton’s Lancing training ground before the Liverpool match, Hurzeler said Minteh was “close” to a return, according to SussexWorld.

As reported by The Athletic, Hurzeler said:

“Minteh appears to be in a really positive state. He is putting in significant effort in rehabilitation and is aware that the team is performing well. However, he recognises that if he plays at his best and returns to peak form quickly, he will enhance the team.”

Hurzeler also stressed that Minteh’s return would need to fit Brighton’s physical and tactical demands.

“It’s a combination of factors. On one hand, the team is doing well; on the other, we understand that players like Minteh possess qualities that are currently absent from the squad. Thus, it’s crucial to consider the player’s mindset upon his return,”

he told The Athletic.

He continued:

“Is he prepared to exert himself, to adjust to the intensity at which we play, and to align with our playing style? This consideration applies not only to Minteh but to every injured player right now.”

Why Is Minteh’s Return Significant for Brighton?

Minteh’s imminent availability is a major development for Brighton because the club has managed a strong start to the season without several attacking options. SussexWorld reported that Brighton are third in the Premier League and lead the division with 23 goals, despite Minteh’s absence.

The Athletic reported that Brighton have won four consecutive matches against Coventry City, Arsenal, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, scoring 15 goals and keeping clean sheets in those fixtures.

Hurzeler said Minteh would add “something that is certainly lacking at the moment in the squad”, according to The Athletic.

Brighton’s attacking absences remain extensive. SussexWorld listed Kaoru Mitoma with a hamstring problem, Evan Ferguson with an ankle injury, Stefanos Tzimas with a knee issue, Zadok Yohanna with a fitness concern and Femi Azeez with a strain as still sidelined.

What Is the Latest on Mats Wieffer and Pascal Struijk?

Wieffer is also close to returning after injuring his knee in Brighton’s 4-3 defeat at Chelsea, according to SussexWorld. The Dutch midfielder, who has been used at right-back, has not featured since that match.

Hurzeler said both Minteh and Wieffer could be available next week if they are not involved against Liverpool. The Athletic reported that Brighton face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday, followed by a league meeting with City three days later.

Defender Pascal Struijk is another fitness question. He missed Brighton’s 5-0 win over Crystal Palace and Thursday’s goalless UEFA Conference League draw at Jablonec because of a minor injury.

Hurzeler said Struijk would be assessed before Sunday’s match.

“It’s not a significant concern, but it could escalate if we push it too soon. We must make prudent choices,”

he said, according to the BBC.

What Happened Between Liverpool and Brighton Over Minteh?

Liverpool attempted to sign Minteh in the summer transfer window, but Brighton rejected their approaches. The Athletic reported that Liverpool’s offers were worth £50 million and £60 million.

SussexWorld reported the bids differently, stating that Liverpool had “two bids of around £70m” rejected by Brighton. The difference in the reported figures has not been resolved in the available reporting.

Minteh remained a Brighton player after the window closed. In August, Hurzeler told BBC Sport: “He is a player for Brighton and at the moment there is nothing else to say. I admire from him that when this window is closed that he is fully committed to this club.”

Hurzeler also said at the time: “At the moment he’s definitely a Brighton player. I can’t say anything more so let’s see what happens.”

How Has Brighton Managed Without Minteh?

Brighton have coped well despite Minteh’s absence, but Hurzeler’s comments indicate that the club views the winger as capable of improving the squad once fully fit.

SussexWorld reported that Diego Gomez is likely to start on the right flank against Liverpool, with Maxime De Cuyper expected to play on the left. Ferdi Kadioglu is expected to continue at right-back, while Lewis Dunk and Luka Vuskovic are likely to form the central defensive partnership.

Hurzeler said Brighton “has a lot of confidence and belief”, but urged his players to approach each match individually rather than become distracted by their league position.

“I cherish our fans, and if you hold ambitions and a vision, you should definitely picture it,” Hurzeler told the BBC. “They should dare to dream, and we will concentrate on our performance.”

Background of the Development

Minteh joined Brighton from Newcastle United and established himself as an important attacking player before this season’s injury setback. His pre-season injury came shortly before the transfer window closed, prompting speculation over his future after Liverpool’s interest became public.

Hurzeler said in August that the injury would keep Minteh out for “a long period”, describing him as “a key player” for Brighton. The winger subsequently spent several weeks in rehabilitation, with Hurzeler saying in late August that it would “take a few weeks” for him to recover.

Brighton’s refusal to sell despite Liverpool’s bids reflected the club’s position that Minteh was central to their plans. The latest update suggests that the player is now close to being available again, with next week’s fixtures against Manchester City viewed as a more realistic return point than Sunday’s trip to Anfield.

Prediction: How This Affects Brighton and Liverpool Fans

For Brighton supporters, Minteh’s return should increase competition in wide areas and give Hurzeler another attacking option during a demanding period involving the Premier League, UEFA Conference League and domestic cup commitments. His availability for the Manchester City fixtures would be especially useful if he is not ready for Liverpool.

For Liverpool supporters, the development is mainly relevant because Minteh was a summer transfer target and could become available for a future move once he proves his fitness. However, neither Brighton nor Hurzeler has indicated that a January sale is planned, and the immediate focus remains on Minteh’s return to Brighton’s squad.