Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Match Report & Player Ratings
Ethan Parry
Liverpool recorded a fourth straight victory in all competitions, with a 2-0 win over a high-flying Brighton at a storm-struck Anfield. Pascal Groß turned into his own net via a pacey shot from Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak added to the scoring with a lovely deaf finish just four minutes later.
The three points take Liverpool back into a Champions League spot, and the Reds grabbed their first win at Anfield this season, and in six months.
Summer signing Bradley Barcola was a live wire, providing pace and immense pressure on the right-hand side and returning an assist for Isak, a duo that is starting to come to fruition.
In what was said to be a potentially ‘cagey’ game, both sides managed to adjust to the gusty environment; however, the visitors had the better of the opening chances, as Gross slipped the ball across the box for Yasin Ayrai to tap into a gaping net, but the forward was unable to convert.
New fan favourite Ronald Araujo once again performed outstandingly, showing pure determination at both ends of the field. The makeshift right-back rode a challenge to pull a cross back, finding its way to Wirtz, who’s off target shot deflected of Gross to open the scoring.
It was almost 3-0 before half-time and three goals in three weeks for Araujo; however, a brilliant Bart Verbruggen save thwarted the loanee’s powerful shot.
Diogo Jota – Forever in Our Hearts
The Uruguayan vowed to keep the ball out of his net by any means necessary, providing last-ditch tackles and diving into tackles with his head, preventing a Brighton revival and securing a deserved player of the match award.
The woodwork also preserved the two-goal cushion when Liverpool were caught at the back after Alisson’s wayward pass, and Ayari’s curling strike bounced off the goalkeeper’s post.
The Seagulls were somewhat off colour, with the away side not as clinical as they have been in their previous seven league matches.
In an attempt to get back into the game, the visitors hurdled men forward to crawl themselves back into the game, leaving space to be exploited by the Reds’ forward line.
The home side had plenty of chances to make the affair more comfortable, but precise execution was lacking, and Liverpool were unable to add to their lead.
Yet Liverpool managed to keep a hold of their clean sheet and make it three wins from the last three in the Premier League.
Liverpool NEED to Sign Araújo PERMANENTLY!
Player Ratings
(GK) Alisson Becker- 6/10 A quiet day at the office for the Brazilian, but he dealt well with crosses and claimed the ball. By his standards, his distribution wasn’t at the level we are used to seeing and put his defence under pressure at times with ambitious passes.
(RB) Ronald Araujo- 9/10 Liverpool fans have broken the number one rule- don’t fall in love with a loan player. However, it is hard to blame them, after another stellar performance from the Uruguayan. Powerful and determined play all throughout the 90 minutes, flying into tackles with all parts of his body, he made sure Brighton got no joy down his side.
(CB) Virgil van Dijk- 7/10 A typical Virgil van Dijk display, cool, calm and collected and avoided any unnecessary complications. The Dutchman was brilliant in the air, clearing any cross that the visitors threw at him. He kept danger to a minimum and was a good leader across the back line.
(CB) Jeremy Jacquet- 7/10 £60 million is quickly starting to become a bargain for the 21-year-old, as he has slotted in next to van Dijk as if he has partnered him for years. The young centre-half was brilliant defensively, making crucial blocks and defending bravely, and is consistently impressive.
(LB) Milos Kerkez- 5/10 The full-back needed a bit of help from van Dijk in the second period, as the Seagulls targeted his side and attempted to get in behind him. Kerkez didn’t stop running up and down the left flank, and his effort cannot be faulted; however, poor decision-making let him down.
(CDM) Ryan Gravenberch- 6/10 A busy bee in the midfield for Gravenberch, who did well to shut down forward passes from the opposition and was good on the half turn and driving the ball forward but didn’t manage to find that killer ball in the final third.
(CDM) Alexis Mac Allister- 8/10 The midfielder’s fine form was extended again, comfortable on the ball and delivered some nice one touch passes into gaps to get his team out of pressure. He was ever-present in midfield, and the Argentine wasn’t afraid to snap into tackles and perform more of the ‘dirty work’ in the engine room.
(CAM) Florian Wirtz- 8.5/10 The German forward is starting to find his groove in the Liverpool attack; he made himself busy attacking and defensively. Wirtz found his two wingers multiple times, with balls in front of them to run onto. The forward played with confidence, as he was dangerous on the ball and began to dictate play.
(LW) Bradley Barcola- 7.5/10 The £125 million man has started to prove his worth, and his performance against Brighton was perhaps one of his more complete ones for Liverpool. His turn of pace was lightning quick, and he linked up with Alexander Isak again, with a perfect ball across the box. He helped very well defensively in the second half, tracking runners back and nullifying Brighton’s threat on his side.
(RW) Cody Gakpo- 7/10 Gakpo was a strong option on the right-hand side, driving at the away side’s defence and carrying the ball forward with intent. He was centre of a few counterattacks in the second half, and potentially should have made more from the situations, however he was unlucky not to add a goal to his name.
(ST) Alexander Isak- 7.5/10
The forwards revival this season has somewhat gone under the radar, and he added another expertly guided finish to his catalogue. Isak somewhat floats his way through the game, but whenever he is ready to pounce, he does. If Barcola and Gakpo can keep finding the striker in promising, attacking positions, there is no doubt the forward will keep scoring and maintain his impressive form.
Substitutes
(65th minute for Wirtz) Trey Nyoni- 7/10 Produced a solid 25-minute cameo in midfield, with his first involvement being a crunching block. He helped Liverpool have more control on the ball and effectively shut up shop.
(77th minute for Barcola): Rio Ngumoha – 6/10 Helped relieve some pressure of his teammates by carrying the ball forward, but a more defensive contribution in comparison to his impressive UCL performance.
(77th minute for Isak) Lewis Koumas- 6/10
The young forward performed his task well of to put pressure on the Brighton defence after Isak ran out of steam.
Andoni Iraola- (8/10) In his post-match press conference against Brentford, Iraola wanted more control from his side, and he got that. His team all contributed offensively and defensively, and it was the most complete performance his side have played, against a difficult side that could have gone the other way. It’s good momentum heading into a difficult week, with the Reds welcoming Londoners Chelsea and Arsenal to Anfield.
