Liverpool rallied from a disappointing first half to secure a vital 2-1 victory over Brighton at Anfield, a result that could prove crucial in their title aspirations.
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Goals: Kadioglu 14’, Gakpo 69’, Salah 72’
Player Ratings
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
Kelleher had little chance with the goal, which was a well-placed shot from Kadioglu that went in off the post. He made an important save to keep the score at 1-0 when Brighton were dominant.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6
Struggled in the first half with sloppy passing but improved significantly after the break, becoming more involved and providing solid defense against Mitoma.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Had a tough time dealing with Brighton’s counter-attacks, leaving his teammates exposed but maintained organizational duties effectively.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Stood out defensively, managing to contain Mitoma well. Unfortunately, he had to be substituted at halftime due to injury concerns.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6
Had a challenging match against Kadioglu but made crucial blocks. His positioning was occasionally lacking, leading to Brighton’s opener.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Defensively absent at times and failed to provide adequate cover. Though he had a chance early in the second half, he was unable to impact the game significantly.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Struggled defensively but began to find his rhythm as the game progressed. His initial performance was below par in terms of control and effort.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Exhibited solid work rate and contributed to the build-up play, particularly in the second half, though he still needs to be more effective offensively.
Mohamed Salah – 8 (Man of the Match)
The star of the match, Salah scored the winning goal and was key in turning the game around, showcasing his ability to deliver when needed.
Darwin Nunez – 8
Created chances and contributed to the build-up play effectively. His pace and movement caused problems for Brighton’s defense throughout the match.
Cody Gakpo – 7
Gakpo scored the equalizer with a well-placed cross that evaded defenders. His performance showed promise and was crucial in Liverpool’s comeback.
Substitutes
Joe Gomez (on for Konate, 46′) – 8
Provided immediate impact and had chances to score, demonstrating reliability as a replacement.
Curtis Jones (on for Mac Allister, 66′) – 8
Injected energy into the team, leading to Salah’s goal with his intelligent play and run.
Luis Diaz (on for Szoboszlai, 66′) – 7
Added a new attacking threat after the lead, showcasing creativity and movement.
Wataru Endo (on for Nunez, 77′) – 7
Played a defensive role late in the game, contributing effectively with solid tackling.
Conor Bradley (on for Salah, 90+1′) – N/A
Came on to help manage the late game pressure, winning a foul immediately.
Manager: Arne Slot – 7
The first half was underwhelming, but Slot’s tactical changes in the second half were pivotal to the turnaround. His ability to adapt proved crucial in securing three points.