Liverpool came from a two-goal deficit but then suffered a setback from Leandro Trossard’s third goal, giving Brighton a point in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Anfield.
A quick double strike from Trossard gave Brighton an early and deserved lead. But Liverpool struck back, Roberto Firmino scoring twice just before half-time before Adam Webster’s own goal put the hosts ahead. But Trossard equalized with seven minutes remaining.
Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure as Brighton manager got off to a perfect start as the visitors took the lead after just three minutes and 48 seconds.
Moises Caicedo pressed Jordan Henderson on the edge of the Liverpool box and passed the ball to Danny Welbeck. The Brighton striker passed the ball to Trossard, who fired the opening goal into the bottom corner.
The hosts, who had made their worst Premier League start in seven years, were overwhelmed by the visitors while Alisson made a plethora of saves.
The Brazilian made a save against Trossard before Brighton’s star completed a brutally quick counterattack with an almost identical finish to his opening goal.
Liverpool fought back into the game with sheer willpower. The Reds brought the ball to Mohamed Salah in the penalty area twice in quick succession. The Egyptian was initially denied by Robert Sanchez but was soon dropped to Roberto Firmino, who halved Brighton’s lead at half-time.
Jürgen Klopp came on for Luis Diaz at the break and it took the Colombian less than ten minutes to make the desired impact. Diaz led a Liverpool attack down the left flank and played the ball to Firmino in the box before equalizing for Liverpool.
The lively substitute was also involved in Liverpool’s third goal: he won a corner kick that Trent Alexander-Arnold executed with great vigour. Sanchez deflected the ball towards his team-mate Adam Webster and from there into the Brighton net.
But the guests were undeterred. Kaoru Mitoma came off the bench for Brighton before De Zerbi changed his line-up and Trossard moved to the right flank. That combination led to Brighton’s third as Mitoma’s cross clipped through Virgil van Dijk’s holographic intercept and pocketed Trossard for the famous third.
TW: Alisson – Grade: 8/10 – So quick on the line and blessed with razor-sharp reactions that Alisson had to do his best to avoid defeat, despite conceding several goals.
RV: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Grade: 5/10 – Had a tough time trying – and failing – to defend Trossard one-on-one, but created danger with his passes.
IV: Joel Matip – Grade: 6/10 – Intercepted a crucial ball as Brighton threatened to extend their lead in the second half.
IV: Virgil van Dijk – Grade: 6/10 – Troubled with his feet as he let a Mitoma cross through his long and (in this case) uncoordinated legs to Brighton’s equaliser.
LV: Kostas Tsimikas – Grade: 3/10 – Struggled with Solly March throughout the game, confused by his off-ball movements and sent off for James Milner after an hour.
CM: Jordan Henderson – Grade: 4/10 – Was surprised by a high ball in the first four minutes of the game, after which Henderson hardly got any better.
CM: Fabinho – grade: 4/10 – In his 150th start for Liverpool, Fabinho struggled to influence the game decisively.
CM: Thiago Alcantara – Grade: 4/10 – Didn’t have the usual calm on the ball after he had advanced into the last third.
RA: Mohamed Salah – Grade: 5/10 – Always on guard when a loose ball bounced up at the end of the field, they created a number of problems for Brighton which they were often able to solve.
ST: Roberto FIrmino – Grade: 7/10 – Awkward when trying to apply pressure up the pitch but in the right place at the right time to get Liverpool back in the game.
LA: Fabio Carvalho – Grade: 4/10 – Carvalho came in from the left touchline and tried to get the ball but didn’t do much when he got it.
Joker: Luis Diaz (46th for Carvalho) – Grade: 7/10 – While Carvalho kept going for the ball, Diaz desperately tried to sprint after him and threw Brighton off balance.
Joker: James Milner (59. Tsimikas) – Note: 5/10
Joker: Harvey Elliott (59th for Henderson) – Grade: 5/10
Joker: Diogo Jota (75th for Firmino) – No grade
Coach: Jürgen Klopp – Grade: 7/10 – He was amazed at his team’s slow start, but made a decisive change at half-time that turned the tide – albeit not quite as decisively as he would have liked.
This article was originally published on 90min.com as 3-3 draw v Brighton: The Liverpool pros’ notes.
