Reds unbeaten in 24 games... but golden chance is lost
LIVERPOOL are on their best run since 1989 but it wasn’t the way Jurgen Klopp wanted to extend his team’s unbeaten run to 24 matches in all competitions.
Having gone 2-0 ahead in the first quarter, what appeared a routine win turned into a battle of survival as Brighton put on the style that has made them one of the Premier League’s most popular teams.
Goals from Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane were cancelled out first by Enock Mwepu, a spectacular effort near half-time, and then Leandro Trossard who converted a pass from Anfield old boy Adam Lallana.
It was no more than the visitors deserved. While Mo Salah failed to score for the first time in 11 matches, Brighton could point to Yves Bissouma hitting the post and Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson having to make more saves than their own.
After last weekend’s 5-0 romp at Manchester United, this was a hangover for Klopp’s team who were already missing four midfielders and lost Naby Keita to a hamstring injury after 20 minutes.
They are now three points behind leaders Chelsea and their final league game before the next international break — at West
Ham — looks a biggie.
‘It’s a deserved point for Brighton,’ said Klopp. ‘We were good in certain moments but didn’t play enough football, we opened the door for them. The best way to defend against Brighton is to have the ball ourselves and be smart with it.’
Seagulls boss Graham Potter was full of praise for his side despite now going five games without a win following a tough fixture list. ‘It was a fantastic performance. The players deserve all the credit,’ he said.
‘We played with courage and intensity. Our second goal was well worked. We got a bit of luck going in 2-1 down at half-time rather than 3-0 because they had a disallowed goal but by the end their crowd was frustrated which is a sign of how well we were playing.’
Henderson and Salah, who combined for the final goal at Old Trafford, reversed roles for the opener after four minutes. This time it was the Egyptian who rolled the ball from the right into the skipper’s path and Henderson finished from 18 yards for his first Premier League goal of 2021.
Liverpool’s second came from an excellent cross by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who had replaced Keita. He chipped in to Mane who guided his header past Robert Sanchez.
Even though Liverpool were ahead, the warning signs were there at the other end.
Their luck ran out after 41 minutes when Solly March passed to Mwepu who was outside the right-edge of the penalty area. The Zambian whipped a first-time finish over Alisson, who had ventured a couple of yards off his line, and into the top corner.
Brighton deservedly equalised after 65 minutes. Lallana, who spent six seasons at Anfield, threaded a delightful ball into Trossard and the Belgian cut inside Andy Robertson and shot low past Alisson.