All of Liverpool’s early first-half issues against Brighton were coming down the right-hand side of the defence.
That’s according to BBC Sport pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis. As quoted on the BBC Sport website during the first 20 minutes of today’s game, the pundit said Liverpool just couldn’t get to grips with Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.
“We can’t keep our eyes off the Brighton-Liverpool games and the problems that Mitoma is causing down that left-hand side, not just for Trent Alexander-Arnold,” said the former England goalkeeper. “Everything Brighton are doing is down that left.”
Despite some really difficult early moments, the Reds have managed to hold on to a 0-0 scoreline at half-time.
Liverpool second best on the South Coast
We always knew today was going to be a difficult game. Liverpool look all at sea at the moment and Brighton are absolutely flying.
So, at least we were somewhat steeled for some of the opening exchanges of the game at the Amex Stadium.
And Brighton didn’t disappoint, either. They got at Liverpool right from the first whistle. The Reds just couldn’t seem to get up to the speed of the game.
Given the different trajectories of both clubs at the moment, that maybe isn’t a surprise. But when you look at the quality Liverpool still have in their side, it isn’t good enough.
This isn’t a Reds team missing so many players. They are without key men in attack and Virgil van Dijk in defence but it’s still a really strong side. On paper.
But as we all know, football isn’t played on paper. Even if it were, Brighton’s XI are in far better form than Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Seagulls even have a World Cup winner in their side – Alexis Mac Allister. In Mosies Caicedo and Mitoma, they also have two players who look like they could play at many of Europe’s top sides.
So, you know what, we’d bite your hands off for a point right now. That might sound defeatist, but Liverpool look a million miles away from it this afternoon. Again.
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