PLAYER RATINGS: BRIGHTON 2-1 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton after a late Kaoru Mitoma winner. The Reds took the lead through Harvey Elliott before Lewis Dunk deflected Lamptey’s long range effort past Alisson, setting up the stage for late heartbreak. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 6

Beaten by a deflection for the first and by great skill for the second. Huge save to deny March second half. Quick off his line to clear one off March and into touch late on.

Alexander-Arnold – 5.5

Played a nonchalant outside of the boot pass to set Salah away early on. Crucial goalline clearance to deny Solly March. Given the runaround by Mitoma once again. Lovely delivery to find Salah at the backpost.

Konaté – 7

Played well. Came across to deal with Mitoma a few times. Monstrous block to deny Ferguson second half. Showed good pace to thwart Mac Allister when he went clean through. Doesn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

Gomez – 6

First hour I thought he was excellent. Read danger well and put in some vital blocks. Used his pace to great effect. Last half hour he just nosedived. Constantly lost runners in behind and was bailed out by Konaté and then Alisson who came out to sweep. Sent back to Charlton by Mitoma for the late winner.

Robertson – 5

Offered next to nothing going forward with Elliott on the pitch. Bombed on more when Darwin came on but his final ball was a letdown. Had about three chances to hack clear but gave away that late free kick which led to the winner.

Bajcetic – 7

Once again dependable at the base of midfield. Won his fair share of tackles and didn’t once look out of place. Could pick a forward pass too when given space. His energy levels were much better today as he still looked lively till he was taken off late on.

Keita – 6

Gave the ball away a few times. When he didn’t give it away he offered a good attacking outlet. Played some through balls in behind for the forwards to chase. Taken off after about an hour.

Thiago – 5

Thought he was some way short of his best today. Gave the ball away cheaply and didn’t offer enough going forward. Had a chance to shoot in the box but attempted a give and go that just wasn’t on.

Salah – 5

Out of sorts at the minute. Saw a shot cleared off the line early on but completely scuffed his effort wide when put through on goal by Elliott. Got the assist for the goal but he’s way off it at the minute.

Gakpo – 5

Some tidy bits of play when he dropped into the half spaces. Did a Bobby impression today as the false nine. Gave away some unnecessary free kicks and was not enough of a goal threat all things told.

Elliott – 7

Probably the best player in red today even if he struggled to get into it first half hour. He drifted central to play an exquisite ball in behind for Salah before tucking home after the Egyptian returned the favour later on. Should have made it two when played through by Gakpo but he took too long and Lamptey made the challenge.

Substitutes

Milner – 5

He came on at right back to try and deal with the pacy Mitoma. That boggles the mind really considering he’s a 37 year old midfielder. One good early cross into the box.

Henderson – 4.5

Offered a brief injection of energy. Poor on the ball in tight spaces. Hoofed one into the air late on when we were chasing the equaliser.

Darwin – 4

Thought he’d have more confidence than he showed today. He did score on his last start after all. He played off the left and cut inside two men only to lay a poor pass off to Gakpo with the angle open for a shot. Isolated his man in the box late on but was caught in two minds, allowing the ball to bobble off him and out for a goal kick. Subdued.

Jones – 4.5

On for Thiago midway through the second half. A bit meh.

Fabinho – 2

Came on for probably ten minutes all told and managed to stink the gaff out yet again. Gave the ball away with his very first touch, which saw Brighton counter dangerously. Followed that up with a horrendous tackle on Ferguson that could have easily seen him sent off. As soon as he came on we looked open again.

Jürgen Klopp

Made the one change to the side, with Trent coming in for Milner. Stuck Elliott out on the left wing again despite the youngster struggling there against Chelsea. The subs were pretty much like for like, with the exception of Milner.

We were weaker in the end after the subs, and the decision to stick Darwin wide left andAnother competition bites the dust despite an improved display.