Liverpool and Brighton combined for 6 goals in their return to Premier League action. It was each team's first game back after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and a lengthy international break. Leandro Trossard was the story for Brighton as the Belgian scored a hat trick at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino continued to lead the way for the disappointing Reds. The Brazilian striker had 2 goals for Liverpool, putting him in the team lead with 5 goals. All Firmino's goals have come in Premier League games.
Liverpool's 3rd goal was a second half own goal by Brighton's Adam Webster. At the time it put the Reds up 3-2 and for about 20 minutes it felt like Liverpool would hold on for the win. That is until Trossard completed his hat trick in the 83rd minute.
Digging a First Half Hole
Liverpool decided to show up late to this match and it cost them. Trossard put Brighton up by 2 goals before the clock struck 20 minutes. He scored in the 4th and 18th minute to get new Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi off to a flying start.
Two Trent Alexander-Arnold turnovers were largely responsible for the two early goals. The Reds found themselves with a deficit that they would halve before halftime.
Roberto Firmino's first goal would come in the 33rd minute, as Liverpool found their way back into the match. Jordan Henderson would feed the ball in over the top, and Mohamed Salah would then flick it on the volley across to Firmino. He would finish into an empty net for his 4th goal of the year for the Reds.
Second Half Rally Falls Short
Liverpool turned the tide in their favour at least until the 83rd minute. Jürgen Klopp subbed on Luis Díaz at the half and the Colombian winger would be a spark for the Reds. He would set up Friminio's second goal with a mad dash down the left side.
Firmino would pot Diaz's pass into a largely empty net to draw Liverpool level in the 54th minute. Liverpool had the advantage for much of the second half and would take the lead 9 minutes later.
The Reds' third goal wasn't pretty but it was effective. A Trent Alexander-Arnold corner would bounce in off Brighton's Adam Webster for an own goal in the 63rd minute. For 20 minutes, Liverpool had the lead but they couldn't put Brighton away.
In the 83rd minute, Trossard would strike again. After missing a few minutes due to an apparent injury, the Brighton forward would help his side steal a point at Anfield. He would smash home his third from a Kaoru Mitoma cross that Virgil van Dijk let through.
LFC Globe Verdict
Today, the offence wasn't the problem. 3 goals against Brighton at home should be enough for 3 points. However, thanks to the poor team defending it weren't nearly enough. It's easy to single out Alexander-Arnold and van Dijk for their obvious gaffs but the whole team seemed to be out of wack in the defensive half.
It might be getting too late for the Reds to sort themselves out. 4 draws in 7 matches in league play should be unthinkable and unacceptable for any team who calls itself a title contender. Decide for yourself by checking out the highlights right here.
Highlights
Watch the highlights here.