Liverpool were dreadful as they were beaten 1-0 by Brighton at Anfield on an evening when their hopes of a successful Premier League title defence almost faded completely from view.
Steven Alzate bundled home a deserved second half winner for the Seagulls as Liverpool struggled to even muster a decent chance on Robert Sanchez’s goal.
Mo Salah missed a decent early opportunity but other than that Liverpool were restricted to long range efforts and the odd bounce of the ball against a Brighton side who defended brilliantly all evening.
It was a struggle to think of a decent Liverpool performer on an night when their recent good results and performances against Tottenhamand West Ham were simply thrown away.
Here’s how they rated.
Caoimhin Kelleher: 6
In days gone by he might have got the shock of his life when he woke up to a message on the Liverpool goalkeepers’ Whatsapp group from Alisson saying he wasn’t turning up for work.
The Irishman has proved himself to be an able deputy this season though, and although he didn’t have much to do here, whatever he could do was just fine.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
Nobody thinks about those that have been left behind do they?
Alexander-Arnold is probably the Liverpool player who have suffered the most from not having the consistency of selection on his left hand side, but there comes a time when that excuse has to be overcome.
It looked like it had been in the last two games, and then this.
Nat Phillips: 6
Just did what he usually does.
It’s still quite weird that he’s doing it for Liverpool.
Another outing at centre-back for the Liverpool captain and another evening when he didn’t really do much wrong.
He must feel like bashing heads together in front of him though.
Andy Robertson: 5
Another of Liverpool’s attacking outlets who was nowhere near their best on a evening completely lacking in creativity, the Scot was pinned back and didn’t have any room to run into, just as in other recent home matches.
Gini Wijnaldum: 5
The Dutchman was swamped in midfield and didn’t get his game going in the slightest.
He wasn’t alone.
Thiago Alcantara: 6
Must be wondering if he’d have been better off staying in Munich.
He’s still yet to win a match at Anfield.
James Milner: 6
Early injury seemed to hamper him somewhat, but not as much as facing a Brighton side seemingly made up of 11 James Milners did.
Imagine that? Gotta be off putting.
Xherdan Shaqiri: 4
Henderson slaughtered him for his positioning in the first half, but there were plenty of other options he could have gone for if he fancied it.
Roberto Firmino: 5
Really sloppy when it came to his now trademark little passes around the penalty area, something that he seemed to have found again during Liverpool’s recent wins in London.
Come to think of it, maybe they should move there?
Mohamed Salah: 5
Missed a great early chance and from that moment it was as if Liverpool knew exactly what was going to happen.
Which isn’t the type of leadership you want, really.
Subs
Divock Origi on for Shaqiri (64)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Wijnaldum (64)
Curtis Jones on for Firmino (79)
All varying degrees of poor.