Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - A Quick Liverpool Perspective
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion A Liverpool Perspective
A very good performance against a Brighton team that probably went into the weekend as favourites. Liverpool performed well, pressing with more intelligence and thought, the team looked to have taken another step forward towards Iraola's way of playing. Though it must be said that it did make a huge difference getting the lucky break for the first in the 17th minute. Quickly adding to it meant that Liverpool were able to be more cautious and not need to commit as many bodies forward as quickly, allowing the team to defend as a unit and avoid being caught by any counters.
Tactically, it was a good, aggressive defensive performance, sprinkled with some lovely attacking moves. The improvement in both fitness and controlled aggression over last season is stark. This team is still mostly the same players, but they are playing a completely different way and it is suiting them. Players that were looking out of their depth are looking good, none more so than Gakpo, who is back to being an extremely dangerous attacker.
Brighton & Hove Albion
They were in such excellent form coming into the game, they must have really fancied their chances, but they were beaten by a team trying to play a similar way but with better quality throughout the team. Gross was unable to get on the ball enough, despite his exceptional movement off the ball, and his main contribution to the match ended up being an own goal. Without Gross being at his best, Brighton really lack that little bit extra they needed to get any kind of result.
Though it must be said, how different things could have been had Ayari's shot not cannoned back off the post after some sloppy play at the back by Liverpool gave it away dangerously. However, I think their lack of pace in defence could have been exploited more, it Liverpool committed to it, and put the game beyond the Seagull's reach. It was certainly a key feature of the game, the way they struggled against Liverpool's pace in behind, they simply could not handle it at all.
Liverpool
Alisson - he did keep a clean sheet, but he had little to do in that regard. However his distribution was awful, particularly for a player who is usually so good on the ball.
Araujo - what can I say about Anfield's new cult hero? He has already put himself in the conversation for the best Liverpool loan signing ever. This performance has put him arguably on top. He was sensational. Aggressive in the challenge, defensively switched on, got forward when possible and provided some flashes of genuine class on the ball as well as defensively. This game will probably be remembered for him being on the ground and still launching himself forward to head it clear, but his overall contribution was outstanding and he was the clear, by some margin, man of the match. The moment when he raced around Vuskovic to reach the ball before the big Brighton centre-half showed the massive difference in desire that he shows every single game so far. It also should not be forgotten how big a contribution he made to the opening goal.
Jacquet - his defending was good again but on the ball he was extremely lackadaisical and gave it away in dangerous areas because of that. Sometimes he needs to just get rid. The shot by Ayari only came about because he tried to beat a man, rather than just playing the ball down the line when put under pressure from an initial poor pass out from Alisson triggered a press.
van Dijk - good game, I can only think of one moment to criticise him for, when he tracked Kostoulas out into midfield and then was slow to get back, which left a gap and when the ball was played in to that space, he was forced to trip the Greek forward to stop him getting away. Though the commentator oddly blamed Kerkez for the foul when it was clear Kerkez only got to him because of Virgil's foul. It is not the foul that is the issue, it was Virgil's slowness to get back that was the problem. Such a small mistake but for a defender those are the mistakes that can end in goals and then his performance is no longer seen as a good one.
Kerkez - he was okay, not particularly good or bad. Again fine margins though, but he does need to work on his delivery. His final ball has not shown anything like the quality he displayed at Bournemouth. Yet. He looks to me like he is trying too hard and not able to relax and play. It was also clear in the first half that Brighton were targeting his side and overloading down it, while Liverpool players just stood and watched him struggle, he got almost no help at all. I can understand Gakpo being reluctant to drop in, that threat in behind was more useful, but Gravenberch was free to move over and help out, he has the mobility to do so, instead he was stood around marking space in the centre.
Gravenberch - dreadful once again. He is powder puff in there. He is one of the worst passers of the ball I have ever personally seen in a Liverpool shirt. He showed in the title-winning season that he can understand when he needs to help out defensively, but since then he seems to have stopped bothering. The amount of times Kerkez was left dealing with multiple players on his own, while he was stood watching, marking space as Brighton's central players were out there overloading on Kerkez, was driving me mad. He needs to use his brain more.
Wirtz - a good game, with pace and movement up top for him to pick out, it is little surprise he had a better game.
Mac Allister - solid. The improvement in him since last season, where he looked a spent force, is enormous.
Gakpo - the best of the attackers on the pitch. He was very good though there were a few times that he would have been better playing a pass rather than taking on a shot. He does not look fully fit though.
Isak - once again he scored a goal, so it is hard to criticise his contribution, which is lucky as he was abysmal other than that. The number of times he failed to make any kind of movement for a pass is frustrating, one particular moment early in the second half stands out, when Liverpool countered. Gakpo was steaming forward and heading central, Isak failed to make a run, despite there being a big space for him to attack. He just ran alongside Gakpo, offering him nothing. It is frustrating to watch as he was so good on the ball and his movement was excellent, prior to joining Liverpool. Maybe his fitness is still an issue? I can certainly think of no real reason for his general play to have fallen so far.
Barcola - good performance, got back well to help out when needed but also used his pace to cause issues going forward. Looks much fitter now and that is showing in his performances, which are improving by the game week.
Nyoni - came on in the 65th minute in the place of Wirtz. Had a good game, he looks solid and composed in the middle and ready to step in if needed. Gravenberch's place has to be under threat from him. His reading of danger is very good, something missing from the rest of the Liverpool midfield.
Koumas - took the place of Isak in the 77th minute. Works so hard but he needs to start offering a bit of a goal threat as well. I am sure that will come as he develops his game.
Ngumoha - subbed on for Barcola in the 77th minute. Showed some fight, something that has been lacking. I just wish he would get his head up and look more often when he gets the ball.
Tsimikas - replaced Kerkez in the 87th minute. Had little time but showed ssome good quality on the ball.
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