LIVERPOOL 2 – 0 BRIGHTON
Liverpool: Groß 16’ (OG), Isak 20’
Pre-Match
If the theme of last season was “finding consistency” where there was none, so far it is “harnessing momentum.” Liverpool have won three since falling to defeat against Manchester City and that kind of momentum is hard to beat, but harder to ride to the end. Brighton, on the other hand, have scored fifteen goals across their last four matches and conceded none. They will be a deceptively tricky side to beat, even with all our momentum underneath us. We’re
not at full fitness, either, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz both still nursing injuries, and that’ll be a blow enough to the strong press of Iraola’s side. Let’s see what the day holds for us, instead of wishing for what we’re missing.
First Half
After somewhat of a false start Brighton get things stared and we’re underway at Anfield, but it’s still shortlived after number 24 for Brighton goes down with an apparently back injury and has to be subbed off three minutes in. It’s been an energetic restart since then with Liverpool taking the ball back quickly and we get our first shot on target when Cody Gakpo shoots right at the opposition ‘keeper. Isak had a terrible first touch right in front of the keeper too and ends up juggling the ball right over himself instead of sending it to the net, but he’s the most likely to score today so you know what, he can have one.
Liverpool are briefly let off after Brighton wins the ball and sends it to Ayari right in front of an unprepared Allison and he thankfully skies his shot. So far in these first 15 minutes it’s been all Liverpool and out efforts are rewarded when the ball falls to Florian Wirtz and he scores!!! LIVERPOOL LEAD SIXTEEN MINUTES IN! Did it take a deflection or two? Maybe? WHO CARES. Now the Reds have tasted blood and two more shots come right after, with Gakpo having an effort blocked and Isak also sends the ball to the Mersey by way of the roof. NO MATTER, BECAUSE HE MAKES IT TWO IN THE 20TH MINUTE! Brighton are well rattled at this point and it’s so early to get them for the taking, but we can take these. Surely we can get a third by the half?
Half an hour in and Brighton has gotten their heads on a little better, but the Reds are still on the front foot, shooting without fear of the repercussions. The team wants that third goal before the half, surely, as even Gakpo is battling (and losing half the time but we’re being optimistic here). Brighton have been able to claw back some more possession but something is in the air because we’re feeling ourselves and unbothered by it all. It’s refreshing to see an unbridled Liverpool again.
It’s the 44th minute and the chaos has not let up, even as Brighton get closer to our goal, but we’re still going for it with everything we have. The second half is surely going to be less free flying… right?
Second Half
The teams come out for the second half with what appears to be only Brighton making a change. It’s definitely a little less chaotic in these opening minutes of the second half, but the battle is slowly ramping back up as Brighton gets bolder with their tackles. The ref is a little less inclined to let play happen in this half, though, for better or worse. We’re struggling to get back into the intense press of the first half, but we win a corner in the 55th minute, so maybe that could turn into something but it doesn’t and we’re back searching. Wirtz unfortunately goes down just outside the box, holding onto his foot or ankle and maybe it’s just a cramp – we can hope it’s only a cramp – and he’s thankfully up and walking it off. Brighton were awarded a free kick in the same spot Wirtz went down, and though the effort clears the wall it also clears the goal.
We’ve reached the hour mark and the match has slowed down considerably after the intensity of the first half, as Brighton look to get back on the scoreboard and Liverpool try to keep them from doing exactly that. Keeping teams from scoring is definitely not one of our stronger traits this season, but Iraola makes his first change, bringing on Trey Nyoni for Florian Wirtz – who goes straight down the tunnel instead of to the bench. Nyoni instantly makes an impact, going in for a tackle it when Brighton threaten Alisson and getting flipped over for his effort. He’s limping a little bit, which is concerning, but he’s young enough to run it off. Hopefully. Another injured midfielder isn’t ideal.
Even as things have slowed down, it makes fouls more apparent and the referee has apparently decided he’s inserted himself enough and isn’t going to get involved despite desperately needing to. With fifteen minutes left in the match, the Reds could use that third goal to keep Brighton from getting too confident, but a 2-0 win wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world either. Brighton finally receive a booking when Costinha tries to take down Gakpo, and Iraola makes two more changes to bring on Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha for Barcola and Isak. All efforts are going towards defending right now, although if anyone can score against these its Rio.
Brighton look gassed, so if the young ones can take a final stab at goal, we can go away with a little extra joy. Kerkez comes off for Tsimikas in the 87th minute, and you know what, sure. With four added minutes, he can get an assist for our third goal, and we’ll be cruising.
Final Thoughts
Not only did Liverpool DO THE THING, they did it early and they were able to protect the lead for a whole other seventy minutes and come away with the win AND A CLEAN SHEET against one of the highest scoring teams in the league so far.
