Liverpool vs Brighton Postmortem: Reds Battle Back to Victory

Liverpool vs Brighton Postmortem: Reds Battle Back to Victory

This was a game that was always going to be a difficult encounter to win, something which availed itself with a very difficult 90+ minutes at Anfield. The midweek prior had saw the two clubs tangle at the American Express Stadium, where the reigning EFL Cup holders progressed to the quarter finals, where a December 17th trip to Southampton awaits. Despite the love of a domestic cup run, this Saturday afternoon encounter in the Premier League was what counted the most, especially after watching Arsenal lose 0-1 at Newcastle.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Ibrahima Konaté

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Kostas Tsimikas

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Darwin Núñez

LF – Cody Gakpo

Subs

Joe Gomez – Ibrahima Konaté (45 mins)

Curtis Jones – Alexis Mac Allister (66 mins)

Luis Díaz – Dominik Szoboszlai (66 mins)

Wataru Endō – Darwin Núñez (77 mins)

Conor Bradley – Mohamed Salah (90+1 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

Liverpool 0 – 1 Brighton

Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Danny Welbeck) – 14 mins

Liverpool 1 – 1 Brighton

Cody Gakpo (Virgil van Dijk) – 69 mins

Liverpool 2 – 1 Brighton

Mohamed Salah (Curtis Jones) – 72 mins

Possession

Liverpool 49% – 51% Brighton

Total Shots

Liverpool 16 – 13 Brighton

Corner Kicks 

Liverpool 9 – 7 Brighton

Goalkeeper Saves

Liverpool 4 – 6 Brighton

The opening period of this game was largely controlled by the visitors, as they looked to settle quickly and quiet down the expectation of the Anfield crowd. It would be the Uruguayan striker, Darwin Núñez, who would create the first real opportunity (for the reds) as he flicked the ball over his markers’ head before driving forward from the halfway line. His right footed shot was well saved (one handed) by the Seagulls stopper, Bart Verbruggen, with the opening goal coming just minutes later.

After a rather unthreatening build up in and around the reds defensive third, eventually the ball found its way across the edge of the Liverpool eighteen-yard box, where the visitors Turkish summer signing, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, was waiting and primed to shoot. His rasping right footed drive evaded an out stretched Caoimhin Kelleher, before nestling into the net off the far post, courtesy of the slightest of Irish fingertips.

Brighton had clearly been instructed to ignore the status of their illustrious hosts and attack from the opening minute, something which saw territorial dominance undertaken by Fabian Hürzeler’s side. A chance to double the lead announced itself on the half hour mark, as a tremendous through ball and breakaway demanded allowed one-on-one opportunity which had to be well saved by Arne Slot’s deputizing keeper, Kelleher. As the reds worked to try and get back into the game, sporadic moments fell the way of the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, who failed to create any noteworthy opportunities. Trent Alexander Arnold (especially) and Kostas Tsimikas were often pinned back by the advancing wide men in blue and white, as the midfield and attacking assets in red failed to produce the levels demanded.

The first period ended with Liverpool a goal behind and a very important half time team-talk to come.

On resumption of the second half, one change was enforced by the title challenging home side, as the Liverpool head coach sent out Joe Gomez in place of his man mountain, Ibrahima Konaté, who had injured his hand just before the break. With a lot more gusto, some astounding recalibration in the defensive concentration of the vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, and an overall improved willingness to work by the team in deficit, Liverpool pushed their way back up the field and started to imprint their game on the visitors. The first interaction of the incoming England international, Gomez, was to head on goal from a superb Kostas Tsimikas free kick. Despite freedom and time to place his header, unfortunately for the revitalised defender the Brighton stopper, Bart Verbruggen, was perfectly placed to collect the ball. The giant keeper would shortly thereafter thwart the headed effort of a diving Alexis Mac Allister. One more brilliant save from Mohamed Salah seemed to make the result inevitable, until a ferocious challenge altered the landscape of the game. It would perhaps be the crunching challenge on the impressive midfielder, Yasin Ayari, that truly turned the tide of the game. As well as winning the ball cleanly, the Hungarian skipper, Dominik Szoboszlai, proceeded to leave the Swedish man on the floor before later having to leave the field.

In the 69th minute, Liverpool finally unearthed their equaliser and it would come due to a cross by Cody Gakpo, one that flighted all the way over the crowded penalty area (and a ducking Darwin) and into the far corner. Just minutes later, Curtis Jones carried the ball ideally into space, before laying off his possession to his Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah. The record-breaking scorer proceeded to move into a familiar shooting position before unleashing a wonderful strike into the top corner.

The game management of the hosts was very impressive after taking their lead, as Albion fought to reestablish themselves. Ultimately, the win was just about deserved after a very good second half display, creating the chance for the reds to roar back to the top of the Premier League.

This was a contest that almost felt disregarded by the Liverpool performance in the first half, however, it is becoming a brilliant watch to see how Arne Slot adjusts the mindset of his underwhelming stable of assets, with positive results often ensuing. The modern game demands modern ideas and instruction, which is being displayed to a brilliant level by the reds head coach.

Manchester City lost away to Bournemouth, after the gunners stumbled at St James Park, therefore, this comeback represents the perfect day for football, on the red half of Merseyside at least.

Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 0 Brighton