After flying so high last season Liverpool are now experiencing crashing lows. Defeat to an inspired, superb Brighton was the lowest yet. It was difficult to argue with Jürgen Klopp’s assessment that this was the worst performance of his tenure, perhaps his entire career.
“I can’t remember another one,” said his captain, Jordan Henderson, grimacing at a “a really tough day”. It had been a mournful performance from Liverpool, one of submission to a team moving into a different gear under Roberto De Zerbi. That their first two goals came from Solly March, who joined Brighton when a League One outfit, served to remind of the distance the club has travelled.
Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, together in midfield for the first time since 13 November, were dominant. Both South Americans have been lately linked with moves to Liverpool, where Klopp had opted for the midfield old guard of Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho. A previous area of great strength has become one of serious concern. “In moments it looked too easy for Brighton, the organisation was completely gone,” said Klopp. “It was too easy. It was just too easy and you cannot get back in this game.”
For Brighton, regeneration appears rather easier. Leandro Trossard had fled the country after a fallout with De Zerbi though the manager afterwards said he was “ready to open the doors” to a rapprochement. Trossard’s teenage replacement, Evan Ferguson, a purebred striker rather than false No 9 and excellent here, is the latest demonstration that no individual is bigger than Brighton’s collective spirit.
It made for an uncomfortable Premier League debut for Cody Gakpo, the latest recruit to a Liverpool forward line wracked with injuries. He started at centre-forward, having made his reputation at PSV when coming in from the flanks. The presence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, ineffectual on the left of the trio, spoke to that lengthy casualty list.
Brighton began with the vigour they maintained throughout, former Red Adam Lallana to the fore. His midfield overrun, unable to cut off the supply lines to the flanks, where Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were being exposed, Brighton by far the better exponents of the pressing game that made his name, Klopp glowered. On Liverpool’s right side, Kaoru Mitoma’s acceleration caused repeated problems. It took until the 26th minute for Liverpool to shoot on Brighton’s goal; Klopp raged as Mohamed Salah clanked his effort into the stand.
Had Mitoma’s finishing not been so hurried then Brighton should have been out of sight by the break. Fortune was also on Liverpool’s side when March was pulled down by Alisson for a Brighton penalty only for VAR to declare an offside.
That Liverpool entered the half-time tunnel level counted as victory in itself. No problem for Brighton, they began the second half as they ended the first but with an added cutting edge. Joël Matip’s pass was intercepted by Mac Allister before Mitoma was released to set up March.
The second was not long in coming. Ferguson received the ball with his head up, and March ran on between Ibrahima Konaté and Matip to score, celebrating with the fans behind the goal. “I love playing for Roberto De Zerbi,” he said afterwards. “He’s great. He puts his arm around you and tells you you’re a good player and maybe that’s what I needed.”
The feeling is mutual. “I have a fantastic team of fantastic players and for me it is an honour to work with them,” said De Zerbi.
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Klopp made a 69th minute quadruple substitution that included the removal of Fabinho, Henderson, Matip and Oxlade-Chamberlain, younger legs in the form of Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak coming on, Naby Keïta and Joe Gomez joining them.
There were jeers when Elliott scuffed a shot wide but at least some attacking impetus had been found. And yet the greater threat still lay with Brighton on the counter. Danny Welbeck, on as a substitute and given time and space to juggle the ball in the opposition penalty box, gleefully scored the third to further drive home that Liverpool’s problems run deep. “It was horrible to watch,” said Klopp. “I don’t think anyone with a Liverpool heart enjoyed it for a second.”
Brighton were meanwhile having the time of their lives.
