Tap For Menu  
Single word yields best result

Football News: Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - A Liverpool Perspective

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - A Liverpool Perspective
Image from: freelargeimages.com

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion A Liverpool Perspective

 

That was a very odd game, first half Liverpool dominated got the goal, controlled the play and could, no should, have increased their lead. Second half they were very sloppy and allowed Brighton to get back into the game and make it a contest. Though they probably should have scored and made it a more comfortable evening.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton made the surprising decision to leave their best player, Pascal Gross, on the bench, and that left them struggling badly to get any control of the ball when Liverpool were at it in the first half. The mistakes in the second half, with Liverpool looking decidedly sluggish at times, allowed them to get some measure of the ball but they still do not look half as threatening in attacking areas and brought him on too late.

What is worrying is how tired Liverpool looked towards the end, when only playing once a week, they should be approaching peak match fitness now after three games, instead they looked to be flagging. Though I do wonder how much of that was down to the fact it was an early evening kick off and the crowd were very subdued, as usual in a tea-time kick off. It does seem that the crowd does not have the same intensity in the early games and the tea-time games. The early ones do not allow much time for the fans to gather together pre-game to get into it and the tea-time ones are at such an awkward time, but that is the price paid for all the TV billions to be thrown at the game.

The players seem to similarly struggle to lift themselves for these games, which is something that Klopp needs to look at. Yes, I get that a dull atmosphere does not provide the lift that the European games atmosphere provides but there is no excuse for sloppiness anyway. Milner never struggles with it, he is always up for it and a few of the others, such as Robertson, have no problems either. The rest really need to take their cues from the ones who do show the same attitude, no matter what.

 

Klopp - once again seemed pretty much happy to go with what he had until late in the game. Bringing on Henderson for Keita did help a little but it was clear Mane was having a shocking game and should have been given the hook but he was only taken off in the 80th minute. Mane is a fantastic player but it was not his day yesterday and he needed to come off as soon as possible. That has to go down as a mistake by Klopp as Mane was key to the play breaking down time and time again.

 

Alisson - pulled out saves when needed, showed some good composure and skill on the ball but nearly cost a goal when he also got sloppy and tried and take on Murray one too many times. Overall he had a very good game though and inspires confidence. He has a real aura about him.

 

Alexander-Arnold - looked more of a threat going forward and his delivery on the run, when he got the chance, was much better, but he was not being given the ball early enough most of the time. It should have been sent when he started runs, but it was usually delivered to him either after he had made the run and was standing still or to the point he was starting from, so he had to stop running to collect the ball.

 

Gomez - played well up against Murray, but did struggle a little when Hughton made the changes to bring on an attacking threat late on. Slotted in at right back for the last couple of minutes and looked a lot more comfortable again.

 

van Dijk - relying very heavily on his physical abilities, wandering off up field and not getting back quickly enough, yet still playing well. That is a mark of just how big, strong and quick he is.

 

Robertson - provided plenty of width but failed to get the passes to make the most of it. Really needs to be given more chances to cross. Also needs to learn how to stop an opponent crossing when defending, needs to get tighter. However his workrate and energy, and willingness to never give up, are a huge boon to the team.

 

Wijnaldum - was much more involved in this game, broke up play and got forward well, showing some nice touches. However he has a worrying tendency to wander off and leave the midfield empty. Also needs to make more of chances he gets to take a shot on or play a killer ball.

 

Keita - struggled badly to impose himself on the game, though he did nothing majorly wrong, just never managed to get control of things. Was unable to get a good run at the defence or any genuine chances to take a shot on.

 

Milner - worked his socks off, broke up play well, always willing to give away a free kick to avoid the team getting caught on the break. All that and he was always there to support attacks. Having a nice break over the summer seems to have done him good.

 

Salah - scored a goal but should probably have added to his tally. However he scared them into sitting deep. That left us lots of space in midfield to play in but nothing in and around the box, which was why the team struggled to really put the game to bed.

 

Mane - had an absolute stinker. Worked hard and gave his all, but every pass, every touch was awful. If he had found a fiver he would have lost his wallet down the drain bending down to pick it up. Just went wrong no matter what he tried.

 

Firmino - still not quite at his best. The running round is there but the sharpness needs to come. Still causing a lot of problems with some nice touches but it is not coming together yet for him.

 

Subs:

Henderson - once again brought on in the 67th minute. Rather than Milner, he replaced Keita this time. Had an immediate steadying effect, which sparked the Brighton changes to try and get back into the game.

Sturridge - came on in the 80th minute to replace Mane, though it should have happened much sooner. Did what he could but is still looking a yard or two short of where he needs to be and 10 minutes at the end of a game is not going to regain his sharpness.

Matip - strangely came on in the 89th minute in place of Alexander-Arnold, with Gomez moving out right. Never enough time to do any more than cause a bit of confusion over who was playing where and what system the team was going to.

Written by Tris Burke August 26 2018 18:45:28

 

Discuss rumours and transfers on our Liverpool rumours web page