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Liverpool slumped to a disappointing 1-1 draw against a determined Brighton and Hove Albion outfit earlier today in what was an eventful and controversial Premier League game. Both teams created several chances throughout the game but were wasteful in the final third.
Brighton took the game to Liverpool for large periods in the game and could have managed a shock lead in the first half. Liverpool were far below their best in this fixture and looked tired against a Brighton side that was not afraid to attack the Merseyside giants.
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Liverpool got off to a promising start with Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah exploiting the acres of space behind Brighton's defensive line. The home side struggled in the opening stages of the game but improved as the first half progressed.
Brighton and Hove Albion posed a potent threat on the counter and their impeccable link-up play paid off when Neco Williams conceded a corner. Neal Maupay stepped up for Brighton but his shocking miss gave Liverpool a massive reprieve.
Liverpool continued to create chances and thought they had scored the opening goal when Mohamed Salah latched on to Firmino's excellent lobbed pass and found back of the net. Much to Jurgen Klopp's dismay, however, a VAR intervention ruled the goal out and the score surprisingly remained 0-0 at half-time.
Both teams made a conservative start to the second half, with Liverpool attempting to seize control of the game. The Merseyside outfit finally took the lead at the hour-mark after Diogo Jota dribbled into the penalty area and found the back of the net with an excellent finish.
Brighton grew into the game after Liverpool's opening goal and pushed the Reds back into their own half towards the end of the match. Sadio Mane did find the back of the net for Liverpool but his goal was ruled out by VAR.
Brighton were handed a lifeline in stoppage-time as Andrew Robertson fouled Danny Welbeck in the Liverpool penalty area and conceded a spot-kick. The Seagulls scored their late equaliser to deny a furious Jurgen Klopp an important victory.
#5 Brighton's high line passes stern Liverpool test
Brighton opted to field a high defensive line against a Liverpool front-line that thrives on space in the final third. The Reds did create a few chances in the opening stages of the game as Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah often left the Seagulls' defence scrambling towards their own goal.
Brighton grew in confidence as the first half progressed, however, with the team's wing-backs covering a considerable amount of ground to thwart Liverpool's wingers.
The home side did have a nervous moment when Mohamed Salah found the back of the net but VAR intervened with a contentious decision to rule in favour of Graham Potter's side.
#4 Liverpool need to get the best out of Takumi Minamino
Jurgen Klopp gave Japanese star Takumi Minamino an opportunity to shine today alongside Roberto Firmino and the attacking midfielder largely failed to make the most of his chance for Liverpool. Minamino played in a midfield role against Brighton and struggled to make an impact on the game.
Liverpool have a hectic schedule this year and will need their squad players to step up in the Premier League. Minamino has spent a considerable amount of time on the bench this season and will need to make the most of the opportunities that come his way.
Liverpool have several attacking options in their squad and Minamino will have to do much better to keep his place in the squad. The Japanese attacker was ineffective with his pressing against Brighton and was well below his best.
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#3 Brighton's profligacy spares Liverpool's makeshift back-line
Liverpool's well-documented injury concerns came back to haunt them on a fair few occasions against Brighton as a makeshift back-line of Fabinho and Nathaniel Phillips was visibly uncomfortable against the home side's direct play. Brighton made several inroads into the Liverpool half throughout the game and will not be happy with their dismal conversion rate.
The home side should have scored the opening goal on two separate occasions in the first half as Aaron Connolly found himself through on goal but inexplicably missed the target. Neal Maupay will also be furious with himself after a disappointing penalty that could have potentially seen Brighton walk away from this game with all three points.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have a few key decisions to make in the coming weeks with regard to their starting line-up. Jurgen Klopp will not be pleased with his defence today and needs to find a solution to account for Liverpool's lack of defensive solidity this season.
#2 Diogo Jota's offers excellent solution to Jurgen Klopp's workload problem
Liverpool have had one of the busiest seasons in recent memory so far and will have to navigate yet another hectic set of weeks in December. With Diogo Jota in their ranks, however, the Merseyside giants can rest easy as far as their famed front-line is concerned.
The Portuguese winger nearly made an immediate impact on the game with a well-timed run in the opening minute but could not find Mohamed Salah with his pass. Jota made amends in the second half with an excellent goal to justify his selection yet again.
Diogo Jota's presence on the pitch allowed Jurgen Klopp to keep Sadio Mane on the bench and bring him on for the talismanic Mohamed Salah an hour into the game. With Liverpool competing on multiple fronts this season, Jurgen Klopp will take some comfort from the fact that his summer signing from Wolves is exceeding expectations at the club.
#1 VAR makes headlines yet again with three important decisions
Liverpool cannot seem to catch a break with VAR this season. The much-discussed technology caused an uproar after the Merseyside derby earlier this season and has become a point of contention yet again after an eventful Brighton game.
VAR was called into action on two occasions in the second half and arguably got both decisions right, with Sadio Mane in a clear offside position when he found the back of the net. Andrew Robertson also made clear contact with Danny Welbeck in the penalty area in the build-up to Brighton's stoppage-time penalty.
The first-half intervention by VAR for Mohamed Salah's strike will leave a bitter taste in the mouth, however, and a bemused Jurgen Klopp was visibly frustrated in the dugout as Liverpool squandered a narrow lead with a late blunder. The Reds were not at their best today but will certainly feel hard done by after a difficult game.
