Fabian Hurzeler says Brighton should not “hide” and “shouldn’t be afraid of anyone” as they look to build on the progress the club has made in recent years.

The Seagulls finished sixth in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season and reached the last 16 of the Europa League last season under the management of previous coach Roberto de Zerbi.

Eighth-placed Brighton have taken 16 points from their first 10 Premier League games under Hurzeler, who said he was “happy” with the majority of his team’s performances in those fixtures but admitted they could have taken more points.

Last Sunday Albion led league leaders Liverpool for almost an hour, taking points from Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season.

“I don’t want to be known or seen as little Brighton and Hove Albion,” Hurzeler said ahead of Saturday’s match against champions Manchester City.

“Moreover, there is great potential in our squad. We have great leadership at the club. We have great squad. We have a good atmosphere, a good environment.

“The important thing in football is to achieve something and that’s why we shouldn’t hide. We shouldn’t be afraid of anyone.

“We have to play with confidence and at the same time we have to put pressure on ourselves because ultimately we want to achieve something and if we don’t get wins in the matches we have failed and that is the truth. So we have to also be hard on ourselves and demand the best from ourselves.

“These games, like City and Liverpool, are the best challenges for us.”