Liverpool Player Ratings v Brighton

Liverpool player ratings after the win over Brighton, with big praise for Araujo and Jacquet, concerns over Gravenberch, and a mixed view on Gakpo despite a surprise man-of-the-match award.

Watched the Liverpool v Brighton match yesterday, delighted with the result, not so much with the total performance. But here's my tuppence worth on each player yesterday:

Alisson

Player Rating 5 - Distribution, which is usually top draw, was very poor and sloppy; put Mac under unnecessary pressure with 4 players around him, lucky not to concede off of that. Otherwise was average enough with very little to do. Everyone can have an off day, so I won't rip into him too much as still world class.

Araujo

Player Rating 9 - MOTM for me, love his heart, desire and passion when playing. His no-nonsense defending is what we all want to see, but like everything it's a fine line and may cost him a red card by being a little late sometime over the course of the season. But can't fault the guy, gives 100%, and a sliding head tackle, lads: you can't get any more commitment from a player than that. Love the guy, hope we sign him in the summer.

Jacquet

Player Rating 8 - Mature beyond his years, another solid performance at CB, reads the game very well and will only get better and better the more he plays alongside VVD.

VVD

Player Rating 7 - Still one of the best CBs in the Premiership, but legs starting to go. Let one Brighton player just freely waltz into space 1st half; I know he blocked the cross but seemed to want to point the blame at Kerkez, who was dealing with his own player at the time. It's unfortunate that father time is starting to catch up with him, but we've all been there: the mind knows what you want to do but the legs can't get you there any longer. Still a solid enough performance alongside the ever-improving Jacquet.

Kerkez

Player Rating 6 - Not his biggest fan by any means, but he does try. It's just I don't think he's a very intelligent player: he gets too close to his man, gets turned and gives away stupid fouls, albeit he doesn't get much help or cover from Gakpo. Still, an average display, did get stuck in and defensively was OK. Will probably be a good back-up LB for us long term, but not 1st choice.

McAllister

Player Rating 7 - Is finding form and fitness under Iraola; our best midfielder so far this season, but that doesn't say much for our midfield. Is an intelligent player who lets himself down sometimes with his play acting, but was solid enough yesterday without being outstanding, not getting much help from Grav at times, which doesn't help.

Gravenberch

Player Rating 4.5 - Both himself and Gakpo are big men and it just bemuses me how soft they both are in the tackle when on the pitch. 1st half he was OK, still not understanding his double pivot role alongside Mac. He needs to come to terms with this or he doesn't have a future at the club. Was absolutely abysmal 2nd half, not doing the basic things and thinking he had a free role; needs to give himself a big shake and rediscover his form that won us the league under Slot.

Wirtz

Player Rating 7 - This team needs his creativity, starting to show signs of the player we thought we bought last season. Will get better and better with a stronger midfield behind him. Was very good on the ball yesterday; link-up play was excellent. Still a soft touch in the tackle, needs to bulk up to succeed in this league, but otherwise a good performance. If you don't shoot, you don't score.

Gakpo

Player Rating 6 - I looked at my son when he was given the MOTM award and we both went. He carried the ball well at times 1st half, but seemed to have his own agenda about scoring once we were 2 up. Was very wasteful when we were in great positions to score, always picking the wrong option, which on another day could have cost us. Gave away needless silly fouls in dangerous positions towards the end of the match. Needs to rediscover the early form he had at the start of the season when he was our best forward.

Isak

Player Rating 7 - Took his goal excellently and seems to be creating a good understanding with Barcola, but again doesn't work enough for the team and games can pass him by without him having any influence. There's no doubting his goalscoring capabilities, but he needs to hold up the ball better to help bring in his wingers and attacking midfielders more into games.

Barcola

Player Rating 7 - Starting to find his feet and getting better and better each game, great assist for Isak's goal and worked hard for the team tracking back. Will get better, I've no doubt.

Nyoni

Player Rating 7 - On for Wirtz to try and stem the pressure from Brighton, played solid enough. Nearly got caught out with the ball but recovered sufficiently. Still only a kid and when he fills out a bit will be an excellent player, hopefully still at Liverpool.

Rio

Player Rating 7 - Starting to really mature under Iraola and now understands his defensive duties properly. Another kid with unbelievable potential, played and linked up well for the length he was on. Needs to stay grounded and listen to the coaches; a star in the making if he follows what he's been coached to do.

Koumas

Player Rating 6 - You know what you're going to get from Koumas: tireless work rate, put their defence under pressure and made it more difficult for them to come out from the back, which was needed at the time. Can't fault his work ethic, but will we still see him in the squad when Ekitike comes back? I really hope so. Needs to work on his control and passing, but could be a useful squad player for us in the future.

Tsimikas

Player Rating 6 - On for Kerkez, was solid enough without really influencing the game. A good professional but not good enough to start. Still gives everything he has when he plays and can't ever be faulted for effort.

Iraola

Manager Rating 8 - Got his 1st home win and got his team selection right, brought on the changes when needed. Is improving this team week in week out. Will be interesting to see what his team will be like when he gets the players he wants in the next couple of windows. Good result for a very good manager; let's hope he and his team just goes from strength to strength.

Written by NOTSOZIPPY October 26 2026 11:20:37