Brighton v Liverpool – Zonal Marking

Liverpool failed to deliver a response to a dismal away defeat with Brentford. The Reds were humbled 3:0 by Roberto De Zebri’s outfit, who moved above Liverpool in the Premier League standings, leaving their hopes of a top-four finish in tatters.

Defence and goalkeeper

Things couldn’t get any worse at the back, could they? A brace from Solomon March and a goal from Danny Welbeck added a new low to Liverpool’s campaign. A dip in form is visible – The Reds have already conceded 25 goals in 18 league appearances in comparison to last season’s 26 in 38 outings. It is a cause for a big concern.

Alisson Becker had his hands full throughout the game. Brighton & Hove Albion tested him tirelessly, attempting 16 shots. He couldn’t have done more to prevent the home side from finding the back of the net three times. First half saw him escape conceding a penalty after VAR’s review.

Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip created a partnership in the wake of Virgil van Dijk’s absence alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson. The loss of the Dutchman was acute as his teammates continued to slip up.

Joel Matip had made an ucharecteristic blunder in the buildup that led to Brighton’s opener. His sloppy pass was intercepted by Alexis Mac Allister, who passed to Adam Lallana before March’s fine execution. The Cameroonian’s display was summed up with him receiving a yellow card and being substituted off for Joe Gomez in the second half. The Englishman was embarrassed for Brighton’s third.

Liverpool’s full-backs had poor performances and looked unsteady again. In particular, the right-back was struggling with the pace of Karou Mitoma down the wing and resorted to fouls, was booked just as Joel Matip was.

Score: 2

Midfield

Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were in charge of controlling proceedings in the middle of the field. Sadly, it was another meeting in which all of them were on people’s lips for negative reasons.

It is fair to say that they were non-existent throughout the game. The middle of the park wasn’t a battlefield, it was bereft of fundamental qualities. Henderson appeared panicked, confused and was outshone by Lallana. Thiago and Fabinho were anonymous.

In contrast, Brighton midfielders were lively, always first to second balls, composed and played progressive balls. Mac Allister linked-up brilliantly with Moises Caicedo and Mitoma. They dominated possession, outran and  outsprinted the visitors.

Second half replacements: Ben Doak, Naby Keita and Harvey Elliot couldn’t impact the game. Roberto De Zerbi’s side kept on posing a constant threat, forcing their way through the midfield with an ease. Jurgen Klopp issued the problem during the press duties saying: “the problems are the same like last week when we spoke about it: we don’t win the key battles on the pitch, the key challenges, and we give the ball away too easily”

Score: 1

Attack

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the nod at the left-hand side of the attack, although it did seem like his skill set would have been better availed of somewhere else. The 29-year old had a chance to bring Liverpool back into the game after Trent Alexander Arnold’s inch-perfect cross, but missed it.

Cody Gakpo made his Premier League debut as a central face of the front three while Mohamed Salah started on the right-hand side. The trio was toothless and never looked forcing Liverpool’s way back into the match.

They had managed to shoot on target just twice in comparison to Brighton’s nine attempts. As it stands, The Reds are 10 points off the top four and the battle for a spot in the Champions League seems beyond reach.

Score: 2