LIVERPOOL 2-2 BRIGHTON: POST GAME MUSINGS

Liverpool let a two goal lead slip against Brighton yesterday as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at Anfield. Goals from Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mané were cancelled out by Enoch Mwepu’s sweet strike and Leandro Trossard’s tidy finish. It leaves Liverpool three points behind early pace setters Chelsea on the league table. We analyse the game and pick the bones out of the performance.

Player ratings can be found here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2021/10/30/a-few-observations-from-the-game-today-liverpool-2-2-brighton/

° Fast start. Just like at Old Trafford, the Reds flew out of the traps and could have been 3-0 up just past the half hour mark. Henderson gave them the lead inside 4 minutes, before Mané extended their advantage after 24 minutes with a header from a pinpoint Ox delivery. In the 32nd minute, Mané closed down Sanchez’s clearance and forced the ball home with his arm. The game would have been done by that point had the goal stood, just like the early blitz that we saw at Old Trafford.

° Alisson to the rescue. He was Liverpool’s best player as he made some crucial saves throughout. The first chance of the game came Solly March’s way after he springed the offside trap and aimed for the far post. Alisson got down sharply to push it wide. Later in the half, Brighton countered and Bissouma hit a fierce dipping strike but again Ali was equal to it, as he tipped it onto the post. He made further saves in the second half to eventually earn his side a point.

° Midfield injuries. We went into the season with eight midfielders fighting for three spots, we were more than covered. We analysed our depth in midfield in the summer, you can find that article here:

https://made4liverpool.wordpress.com/2021/08/10/assessing-liverpools-squad-midfield/

Injuries have bitten hard so far though, and we ended the game with just three fit senior midfielders in Henderson, Jones and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Thiago Alcantara returned to training a few days ago and should be in the squad for the next game. Fabinho shouldn’t be too far away either, whilst young Tyler Morton has impressed in the EFL Cup and was on the bench against Brighton.

° Throwing away leads. Liverpool have let a number of leads slip from their grip over the past few weeks. From being pegged back twice at Brentford, twice again at home to Manchester City, and then throwing away a two goal lead at Atleti before finding the winner from the spot, to now allowing Brighton to come back from 2-0 down. It’s becoming a bit of a theme, and one the Reds need to quickly stamp out. Their game management after taking leads needs to improve.

° Slipping up. With Manchester City falling to a shock 2-0 home defeat to Palace, Liverpool failed to capitalise and are just 2 points ahead of Guardiola’s side. Chelsea took full advantage by cruising to a 3-0 away win at Newcastle and now have a 3 points buffer over the Reds, and a 5 point cushion over City. They face Malmo and then Burnley next, whilst Liverpool host Atletico Madrid before travelling to West Ham. It is crucial we don’t fall further behind before the international break.

° Still unbeaten. The one positive is the Reds remaining unbeaten. That’s now 20 PL games without defeat (24 across all competitions). 14 wins and 6 draws in our last 20 PL games is a strong run. The fact that 4 of those draws have come in 10 games this season is a bit of a worry though. Losing two and winning two actually ensures more points than drawing four games, although it doesn’t come with the feel-good ‘unbeaten tag’.