Reigning champions Liverpool were mopish, as Brighton & Hove Albion handed them an abominable 1-0 loss on Wednesday at Anfield.
Liverpool’s title hopes have been impelled by another catastrophe, as they were unable to outclass Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday. Graham Potter’s men grew into the game, and their robust approach to deny the hosts paid off in a momentous manner, as Steven Alzate executed one of those scrappy goals to shatter Liverpool hearts.
In the 3rd minute of the fixture, Mohamed Salah could have started the proceedings on a positive note, but the Egyptian missed a delightful opportunity, which was exquisitely presented by Jordan Henderson. Jurgen Klopp’s men were sluggish in most parts of the first half and with just two shots in the first 45 minutes, their lack of urgency upfront showcased their inability to squander the opponents’ backline.
Meanwhile, Brighton were utilizing their principles with finesse, as they were ascertained to kill off any threat from Liverpool. The Reds were venturing through the final third region without any crowing intent, and they seemed clueless when it came to penetrating the Seagulls’ defensive unit even in the second half.
Brighton’s strike in the 56th minute pushed this fixture into an entirely different dimension, as Liverpool had no brief answer to retrieve from this daunting misery. In spite of pulling the strings on numerous occasions in the latter stages, their inefficiency in the crucial layers had cost them all three points.
It was the Reds’ second consecutive defeat at Anfield, and with such a result, Jurgen Klopp’s men yet again need to recuperate their momentum against league leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over the Liverpool players’ performances following their failures on Wednesday night.
Defeat at Anfield. #LIVBHA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 3, 2021
Caoimhin Kelleher: 6/10
The Irish goalkeeper had a decent first half performance, as he seemed undaunted in such a crucial event. In the second period , the goalkeeper made two crucial saves to keep Brighton at bay. The only uncertain goal of the game turned out to be the decisive one, although he had nothing much to do about that.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5/10
In spite of completing the most dribbles (2) in this clash, the young Englishman was not able to dictate the game through the right flank properly. The player was desperately trying to put the ball in the final third region with his whipping crosses, but those were not enough to affect the game. His fragile work in the defensive territory allowed the Seagulls to snatch the only goal of the match.
Nathaniel Phillips: 5/10
Phillips seemed convincing at the back, and he was determined to maintain his promising form. But a wretched circumstance spoiled the party for him, as his attempted clearance at the back was cut off by Steven Alzate, which seized the moment for Graham Potter’s men. Completed 57 out of 66 passes.
Jordan Henderson: 6/10
Despite playing in an untoward position, the Liverpool captain has recently emerged as a reliable source to fill up any spaces for his team. With his firmly nurtured distribution ability, Henderson stood firmly throughout the 90 minutes. The player orchestrated 101 passes out of 112, which indicates his strength to maintain the flow of the game. Along with that, he made 10 recoveries, which also portrays the 30-year-old’s persistence.
Jordan Henderson vs Brighton
• 90% passing (1st in game)
• 125 touches (1st)
• 101/112 passes (1st)
• 1 chance created
• 3 clearances (2nd for LFC)
• 4 interceptions (1st for LFC)
• 1/1 dribble
• 1/1 aerial duel
• 1/1 tackleNeed him in midfield ? pic.twitter.com/rHegIH4IUL
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) February 3, 2021
Andrew Robertson: 5/10
The Scottish international has a night to forget, as he had one of those not so enterprising outing in the red of Liverpool. Robertson was unable to find his rhythm in the left-back territory and was not able to conduct the game with Xherdan Shaqiri and Georginio Wijnaldum. A lack of precision in terms of driving the attack forward.
James Milner: 5.5/10
The-35-year-old tried his utmost best to play a pivotal part in this event, as he was roaming around the park freely to pull the strings. But each one of his tireless efforts was interrupted by a factious defensive display from Brighton. With an 86 percent passing accuracy, he was engaging the midfield in every aspect.
Thiago Alcantara: 5.5/10
Liverpool’s summer signing was, as always, trying to implement his unorthodox methods, but on Wednesday, the former Bayern Munich star seemed emaciated. The Spaniard, with his 6 successful tackles, encumbered Brighton’s circulation in the middle of the park. But, a player with such a rich reputation needs to command the zone with more efficiency.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 5/10
Wijnaldum was not at his best, as he fumbled way more than expected on certain occasions. Managed to win 2 duels out of 10, which is certainly not a familiar sight. The 30-year-old was knocking on the doors to find the spaces in between the backline, but Brighton were quick to react to squander his chances. Replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 64th minute.
Mohamed Salah: 4/10
Sitting at the top of the scoring charts (15), Salah could have increased his tally if he had managed to belt the ball back into the net early on. With an outrageous outing against West Ham United, he seemed to be back at his impetuous best. However, his fragile approaches were one of those reasons behind Liverpool’s loss. Dispossessed on 3 occasions and was not able to dribble past any defender.
Roberto Firmino: 5.5/10
As a No. 9, Firmino was searching for the fragility in the Brighton defence, but the decisiveness was not there to help his ethics. The lack of intent was visible, and his sluggish movements only went on to heap the pressure on Liverpool. Taken off in the 79th minute.
Xherdan Shaqiri: 4/10
The Swiss international is no way near his peak and he was clumsy throughout his tenure in the game. The 29-year-old was unable to exploit the left-hand channel, and he faced disappointment against Solly March and Ben White. Created 2 chances, but that did not really make a difference. Replaced in the 64th minute.
1984 – Liverpool have failed to score in three consecutive home league games for the first time since October 1984, with the Reds’ goalless run at Anfield currently standing at 348 minutes. Bereft. pic.twitter.com/10UTHWSqfa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 3, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Divock Origi: 3/10
Came in to replace of Shaqiri in the 64th minute. Origi was determined to prove his worth within the squad but was unable to showcase his credibility yet again. If he is not able to recapture his form, the Belgian does not have much of a future at Liverpool.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 4.5/10
Came on in the 64th minute, but made a little impact on the proceedings.
Curtis Jones: N/A
A late substitute for Firmino, but Jones had less than 12 minutes to find the equaliser. The youngster made some decent runs, but lacked support.
