Liverpool came from behind to secure a crucial 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion as they moved to the top of the Premier League table.
In what turned out to be an eventful game at Anfield, here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher: 8 – Couldn’t have done much to prevent Ferdi Kadioglu’s strike but he made a fantastic first-half save to deby Georginio Rutter which would have put Brighton 2-0 up. Proving to be a more than able deputy for Alisson Becker as the Brazilian remains on the sidelines.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5 – Poor game from the Liverpool vice-captain Kaoru Mitoma consistently got the better of him and was involved in a fiery altercation with Pervis Estupinan. Not his best game but thankfully it didn’t cost the Reds on the night.
Ibrahima Konate: 6 – Played really well in the first half but didn’t come out after the interval after injuring his arm. Was seen hobbling off the pitch in serious discomfort, which is bad news for Arne Slot as he’s been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players this season.
Virgil van Dijk: 7 – Was nearly caught out as Rutter missed a one-on-one in the first half and missed a fantastic chance to score as he failed to get to the end of a pass from Alexander-Arnold.
However, he made an important block late in the game and marshaled the backline calmly despite Konate’s substitution.
Kostas Tsimikas: 6 – Justified his selection ahead of Andy Robertson with an industrious display against Kadioglu and Joel Veltmann. His deliveries from corners were particularly on point.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch: 6 – Grew into the game and kept things tidy, particularly in the second half as Liverpool staged an impressive comeback.
Alexis Mac Allister: 5 – Struggled physically against the Brighton midfield and got a couple of nasty blows to his body. Made a silly foul late in the first half and was subbed off for Curtis Jones after 66 minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 5 – Another lukewarm display from the Hungarian. He showed a lot of intensity in the second half but failed to make an impression as he was withdrawn for Luis Diaz with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Attack
Mohamed Salah: 7 Was anonymous in the first half and missed a great chance to equalise after the interval as he was denied from close range by Verbruggen. Showed his class with a trademark left-footed finish to put Liverpool ahead in the second half.
Darwin Nunez: 8 – Fought tooth and nail was and was Liverpool’s shining light in the first half as the rest of his teammates disappointed. Nearly scored one of the goals of the season as he carried the ball from the halfway line before being denied by the Brighton goalkeeper.
Liverpool’s best player on the night and is slowly coming into his own under the new manager.
Cody Gakpo: 7 – Didn’t come off for him despite his best efforts in the first half but got a lucky break after the interval as his cross found its way into the back of the net for the equaliser.
Substitutes
Joe Gomez: 7 – Came on for the injured Konate in the second half and squandered a glorious chance to score his first Liverpool goal as his header went straight into the arms of Verbruggen.
Showed his experience and defended really well as he finally endeared himself to the new Liverpool boss.
Alexander-Arnold described Gomez as an ‘exceptional’ player last season and the England international more than showed his class after coming into the game. Timely reminder to Slot that he can deputise for Konate if the Frenchman faces a spell on the sidelines.
Curtis Jones: 6 – Kept it tidy after coming on and immediately got a shot on target, although it was a tame effort.
Luis Diaz: 6- Much like Jones, produced a lively showing as a substitute after coming on with 25 minutes on the clock.
Wataru Endo: 6 – Came on to see off the game with 15 minutes left on the clock and did his job well.
Conor Bradley: NA – Came on for Salah in stoppage time and didn’t do enough to warrant a rating.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
