Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Reds end Brighton’s winning run

Liverpool claimed a first home win in the Premier League this season, as they beat Brighton 2-0.

The reds’ two goals came in quick succession, as an own goal from Brighton’s Pascal Groß was shortly followed up by a strike from Alexander Isak.

The result means Liverpool move into the Premier League’s top four, one place behind Brighton, who remain third.

After the match, Isak said that, “The performance was really good, solid. The first-half was what we want to be about: intensity, winning balls and countering."

Brighton Rue Missed Chances:

Brighton arrived at Anfield as the Premier League’s most in-form team, having won their last four league games.

The visitors were hampered however by an early injury to right-back Ferdi Kadioglu, who was substituted after only six minutes.

Despite this, Brighton fashioned the first clear cut chance of the game when Yasin Ayari’s shot flew over the bar when the Swedish international was faced with an open goal after 14 minutes.

Ayari’s mistake was punished three minutes later, when a shot from Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz deflected off Groß’s outstretched leg, wrongfooting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

There was also little Verbruggen could do about Liverpool’s second goal, four minutes later.

Winger Bradley Barcola capitalised on a loose touch from Brighton left-back Olivier Boscagli and played in Alexander Isak, who calmly found the bottom corner.

Seagulls Blown Off Course:

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzler made a second change at half-time, bringing attacking midfielder Jack Hinshelwood on for Boscagli, who was booked late in the first-half.

This meant that Maxim De Cuyper moved deep, into the left-back role, and striker Charalampos Kostoulas moved wider.

De Cuyper has been used as a left-winger this season, in the absence of first choice winger Karou Mitoma, but has played at left-back for much of his career.

This change allowed Brighton to cross the ball from deeper positions, towards Hinshelwood and Ayari.

This tactical change was undermined however by the high winds which made it difficult for Brighton’s forwards to judge the flight of the ball.

Along with the aerial presence of Liverpool’s centre-backs, Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet.

Brighton had chances to get back into the game late on, as De Cuyper shot over from a free-kick, and the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down.

The result ends Brighton’s run of scoring in every league game so far this season.

This victory was Liverpool’s first at home in the league this season, but their fourth in a row in all competitions, after a dramatic victory over Villareal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Player of the Match: Bradley Barcola:

Barcola netted a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 Champions League win over LASK, but is yet to score for his new club in the league.

His contribution to Liverpool’s second goal against Brighton was crucial however, with goalscorer Isak describing it as “super, super good.”

Barcola also provided a vital out ball for Liverpool’s defence in the second-half, as Brighton tried to put the home side under pressure.

What’s Next?:

Liverpool host Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before welcoming Premier League champions Arsenal to Anfield next Sunday.

Brighton meanwhile will face the unusual challenge of playing league leaders Manchester City in back-to-back games.

The Seagulls will travel to Manchester for their Carabao Cup tie against City on Wednesday, before returning to the Etihad for their league match against Enzo Maresca’s side on Saturday.