Brighton 2 Liverpool 2
Brighton welcomed Liverpool to the Amex Stadium with Jurgen Klopp’s side still reeling from their defeat at Tottenham with both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota missing due to suspension. The Seagulls meanwhile were looking to bounce-back from a heavy defeat against Aston Villa last weekend.
The hosts created the first chance of the game as they caused problems from a series of corners but Liverpool got bodies in between ball and goal to deny the efforts. Van Dijk got a touch to one shot which narrowly missed the far post.
The in-thing now in football is goalkeepers to join in the passing game with the defence. Alisson did just this and was outside of his box as he passed the ball to Van Dijk. As he then tried to find Mac Allister the ball was intercepted by Adingra who slotted the ball past the Liverpool keeper as he was trying to scramble back to his goal.
Baleba then picked the ball up in his own half and went on a lung-bursting run into the Liverpool half and as players backed off him, he cut back onto his left foot and let fly, with his shot just missing Alisson’s post.
Credit: @OfficialBHAFC
Brighton then gave the ball away and the visitors passed the ball around with Elliott stepping over it in the box for Mohamed Salah to slot home in the bottom corner as he took the shot on first time. Dunk’s head dropped as it was his wayward pass that led to the goal.
Liverpool grew in confidence and their high press was causing De Zerbi’s side problems and as Szoboszlai was hauled down in the box, the referee pointed to the spot. Salah stepped up and slotted the ball home to turn the game on its head.
It makes you wonder why Jurgen Klopp’s side only seem to play their high-press in stages as when they apply it, no team can seem to cope with them. Some would say it expends too much energy doing it for the whole game but these are professional athletes, fitness should not be an issue.
In the second half, Ferguson slotted a ball in behind Robertson and Adingra cut inside with only the keeper to beat but Alisson did well to make himself big and block the effort to deny the Brighton player.
Liverpool had the chance to extend their lead as Nunez fed Szoboszlai who played the ball across the six yard box to find an unmarked Gravenberch on the back post but somehow the Dutch youngster hit the crossbar with an open goal to aim for.
It was shooting like that which saw the Nazis conquer the country in just five days and lead to Anne Frank having to spend her days for the rest of the war living like a field mouse in the attic with just her own thoughts and a diary to occupy her days.
Credit: @LFC
Joel Matip then turned into the Cameroonian Frank Spencer as he gave the ball away and as Mitoma skipped past him, his cross come shot struck the hand of Van Dijk which incensed the Brighton players and manager but the replay showed it came off the defenders thigh before hitting his hand.
The Brighton manager channelled his inner Mikel Arteta to start complaining on the touchline and it resulted in Anthony Taylor coming over and showing him a yellow card for his troubles, to just anger the Italian even more.
As The Seagulls swung in a cross from a wide position, Liverpool showed their weak underbelly as their whole defence seemed to be playing the kid’s game ‘statues’ as Dunk got a touch to the ball to send it into the back of the net.
Brighton almost won the game as the ball was squared to Joao Pedro in the box unmarked but he side-footed the ball over the bar when it seemed easier to score. The points were shared, both managers would probably settle for this on reflection, on another day either side could have won it.
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