Liverpool have once again failed to show up against Brighton, being handed a damaging loss in the race for the top five.
Brighton took an early lead through Danny Welbeck, but Milos Kerkez levelled things on the 30-minute mark.
The second half saw the home side exercise more control, going ahead again through the Englishman shortly before the hour mark.
It could have been more than 2-1. Liverpool just didn’t show up. Don’t expect too many kind ratings.
Who was the worst performer for Liverpool against Brighton?
You can always count on these two!
Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 5
Alisson’s surprise injury gave Mamardashvili his chance to impress against Brighton. He has to take some of the blame for the opener, playing a poor pass to Konate, which led to the throw-in, which led to the goal. Had some important stops as well, though.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Frimpong had a couple of shaky moments, but I thought he defended well considering the focus Brighton put on attacking his flank.
Ibrahima Konate – 4
Konate was also culpable in Brighton’s first, conceding the throw-in and not doing well enough with the ball that came in for Welbeck. For the second as well, his positioning could have been better.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
The Dutchman’s distribution was sloppy at times, and he looked unsettled by Brighton’s aggressive press.
Milos Kerkez – 7
Kerkez was deployed very high against Brighton — a decision that was justly rewarded with a beautifully taken lobbed finish to get Liverpool back on terms. Most of Brighton’s attacking threat came from the opposite flank.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Too little impact from Gravenberch, who was overloaded in the middle of the park.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Same can be said for Mac Allister, who just can’t seem to string together a consistent run of form. Bullied far too easily and too slow to progress play forward.
Discuss: Mac Allister cannot be a starter next season
His legs look like they've gone! Who should replace him?
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Szoboszlai, as usual, was one of the better performers for Liverpool. His set-piece delivery was decent for the most part, but certainly not a faultless display.
Florian Wirtz – 5
After Arne Slot was forced into an early substitution, Wirtz went up into a strike partnership where he popped up in good positions, but the end product left a lot to be desired.
Cody Gakpo – 4
Gakpo was a non-factor in the first half, completing just one pass. The second half didn’t see much improvement. Not a striker.
Hugo Ekitike – N/A
James Milner collided with Ekitike just eight minutes into the tie, forcing him off with a dead leg. Hopefully nothing serious to keep him out of France contention ahead of the World Cup.
Substitutions
Curtis Jones – 5
Jones was brought on for the Frenchman, and didn’t look all too comfortable in the opening stages. Liverpool fans were angry with Slot over the decision. He settled more into the game, but wasn’t able to make up for the loss of Ekitike’s final-third threat.
Rio Ngumoha – 5
Ngumoha’s introduction was meant to inject some energy into Liverpool’s attack, but if anything, it went the other way.
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