Firstly, well done to Brighton. Superb, arguably the best team we have faced all season. They didn't just defend deep all game. Right from the off they pressed us aggressively at a very high tempo. At times they were deep, but they were brave and very impressive & in Bissouma they have a star. Never seen anyone get the ball off Wijnaldum as much as he did tonight. He showed him no respect and when opposition players often drop off Gini, he just got right in his face. Their goal was pretty lucky, but an excellent performance. Don't think we deserved to lose, but we certainly didn't do enough to win either.
A team of our injured / unavailable players would beat our starting XI tonight. Alisson, Gomez, Matip, VVD, Fabinho, Mane, Jota... That's our CBs and two of our most clinical players - out. Our team should still have enough to win, but let's not forget that's a brutal list of injuries.
I didn't like Shaqiri on the right in the first half. He doesn't have the pace to go on the outside. But he can't cut inside as he's on his weaker foot. It just didn't work at all. Klopp rightly changed that at half time and it made a massive difference. Another problem in that first half was Salah was the only player offering the threat behind Brighton. But Salah was also the one we needed to drop deep and start the chances. Usually we have Mane to do it or Salah, they can take turns. But when Salah did it, we had zero threat in behind as all Shaqiri, Firmino want to do is come towards the ball more often than not. It was a bit like that vs West Ham, but Milner would make runs beyond the attack which would cause problems. I'm guessing Milner still had a tight hamstring as he didn't offer that tonight, certainly in the first half. In hindsight Jones probably would have been better if he wasn't fully fit (guess it's not hindsight if we knew that).
I don't think we can be too hard on the team. We didn't just cross constantly, like we were guilty a few weeks ago. We were probing, but only Mane looked capable of offering any penetration or threat. Think that might be a touch harsh on Trent who did do it occasionally in that second half. Robertson really missed Mane ahead of him.
I feel our midfield look tired. We've had three or four players playing a lot. Haven't been able to freshen it up much due to the CB issues / Ox not looked great & injuries (Keita).
I don't think much is wrong with the team. We just need our players fit, especially Jota and Mane. We can defend fine without our star CBs on the whole. But the match winners are missed badly.
We go again, Mane and Jota will transform us, Keita a huge boost as will the CB additions.
Not just saying this because of my username. Thought Henderson was superb. As a leader, in possession and defensively. That ball he put through in the first half to Salah was brilliant.
