Paul Merson believes Brighton are on the brink of becoming genuine Premier League title contenders — but only if Fabian Hurzeler's side can claim victories in their next two fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Seagulls currently occupy third place in the Premier League table, sitting behind only Man City and Arsenal following four consecutive league victories. Their next assignment is a trip to Anfield on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off at 2pm.

"That is it in a nutshell: we'll see where they are after the next two games," Merson said. "If they go and win their next two games, I don't care how long has gone in the season, they are one million per cent title contenders. Then it's a different game. Then they are going to places expecting to win."

The challenge ahead

Brighton have not won at Anfield in their last six visits across all competitions, yet they arrive to face a Liverpool side that has yet to record a home league win this season. Should they progress from that test, they then travel to the Etihad Stadium on October 31 — just three days after the sides also meet in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Merson was candid about the stakes. "Liverpool are not playing really well. They are not setting the world alight at the moment. But it will be headline news if they get beaten by Brighton," he said. "Brighton, at the moment, you would probably say are a better team than Liverpool. But it's the big team mentality. The pressure's different."

He added that the consequences of defeat would be minimal for Brighton compared to the reward of winning. "You've got to win football matches," he said. "At the moment, you're looking and thinking they shouldn't get beaten in those two games, the way they are playing."

Merson also praised Hurzeler's tactical approach after watching Brighton's performance against Arsenal. "They close you down, they play at a tempo, they suffocate you. It doesn't matter how good a footballer you are, if you get people's heads down, they can't do anything. It's as simple as that."

Carragher's take: echoes of Klopp's Liverpool

Jamie Carragher was equally effusive in his praise for Brighton, drawing a striking comparison to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool dynasty. "Right now, they are the story of the season. I just love the way they play," he said on Sky Sports News. "They remind me a little bit of watching a Jurgen Klopp Liverpool team — really aggressive, really fast, really direct."

Carragher went further on Monday Night Football, arguing that Brighton's current style surpasses even what Roberto De Zerbi produced at the club. "The best way to describe the football is aggressive, forward, vertical, intensity," he said. "It reminds me of the debates we used to have about Klopp and Pep Guardiola. Two very successful managers, great teams, but I think most people in this country would almost plump for a Jurgen Klopp style of football, and that's what I think we're watching here."

However, Carragher stopped short of backing Merson's title-contender verdict. "I'm not sure about title contenders, but I do look at them and think they are where they should be," he said. "It's very early in the season, but watching them play this early, I think they should be disappointed if they don't make the Champions League."

He pointed to uncertainty surrounding several rival clubs as an opportunity for Brighton to break into the top five. "There are a lot of question marks about Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Tottenham — teams you would associate with Champions League positions are not at their absolute best, so I think there's a great opportunity for Brighton to get Champions League football," Carragher concluded.