Liverpool 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Steven Alzate scores in shock win

Brighton boss Graham Potter praised his aspect’s “braveness, high quality and togetherness” as they shocked Liverpool at Anfield to maneuver 10 factors away from the Premier League relegation zone.

Liverpool, who’re seven factors behind leaders Manchester Metropolis having performed a recreation extra, haven’t gained at residence since 16 December and have failed to attain in three consecutive video games at Anfield for the primary time since October 1984.

After going 68 video games and not using a league defeat at their residence floor, Jurgen Klopp’s aspect have now additionally misplaced back-to-back video games there.

Dan Burn ought to have put the guests forward within the first half, solely to slice over the crossbar, however it was the defender’s header throughout aim that arrange the winner.

Nathaniel Phillips might solely get a toe to it and the ball deflected off Alzate and past stand-in Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

“We fought once we needed to – we needed to block and defend as a staff – however I believed we confirmed high quality once we attacked and braveness and bravado with the ball,” mentioned Potter.

“To return right here and get the consequence we now have, I believe you’ve got to be near good. I believed we have been.

“Unbelievable efficiency. I believed the gamers have been wonderful. Such braveness, high quality, togetherness.”

It lifts Brighton to fifteenth within the desk, whereas Liverpool slip to fourth after Leicester Metropolis’s win at Fulham.

Seagulls rise to Anfield problem

Brighton boss Potter mentioned going to Anfield was “as powerful a take a look at as you’ll get in soccer”, however it was one the Seagulls rose to beautifully.

This was not a smash-and-grab within the type of Burnley’s victory final month, however a managed and disciplined efficiency from a aspect who’ve now saved 4 successive clear sheets.

They’ve additionally recorded back-to-back wins in opposition to so-called ‘huge six’ sides – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester Metropolis, Manchester United and Tottenham – after seeing off Spurs on Sunday.

Wing-back Burn prompted issues from the left and turned Neal Maupay’s deflected effort over the crossbar within the first half, however confirmed extra composure to nod throughout aim for Alzate’s first Premier League aim.

Liverpool added extra urgency to their recreation in a bid to discover a leveller, however in a recreation of few possibilities it was nonetheless the guests who created the higher of them.

Kelleher, in for Alisson who was affected by sickness, needed to make a sensible saves from Leandro Trossard and Pascal Gross to cease Brighton doubling their lead.

On the different finish, Potter’s aspect decreased the champions to only one shot on course because the Seagulls recorded their first league win at Anfield since 1982.

“We wanted a bit of little bit of luck, however on the similar time I believed we earned that luck and it is an incredible efficiency and a improbable consequence,” he added. “We contributed to the sport, tried to assault, tried to play.

“The three factors are actually essential. We have to keep on. We do not get too down when issues do not go our means and should not get too excited once they do go our means. It is the character of the league – issues flip round shortly.”

Reds wrestle to attain at residence

For nearly 4 years, Liverpool have been unbeatable within the league at Anfield, however the Reds have now misplaced at residence to each Burnley and Brighton in two weeks.

Klopp’s aspect seemed to have reignited their title problem between these defeats with wins at Tottenham and West Ham however, after Mohamed Salah lifted an early likelihood over the crossbar on Thursday, the latest struggles at residence returned.

The Reds have discovered it onerous to interrupt down compact defences and went nearly half an hour with out even having a shot within the first half, earlier than one other long-range Salah effort was blocked exterior the penalty space.

These have been the one two makes an attempt Liverpool might muster earlier than the break, their fewest within the first half of any league recreation this season as they struggled to stretch Brighton.

There was extra intent from the hosts after the interval however the closest they got here was when Salah fired narrowly vast from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low, pushed cross.

Klopp’s staff haven’t gained at residence since beating Tottenham on 16 December.

Maybe extra worryingly for the German, they haven’t scored at Anfield for 348 minutes – since Sadio Mane’s aim 12 minutes into the 1-1 draw with West Brom on 27 December.

It’s the first time Liverpool have gone three residence leagues recreation and not using a aim in additional than 36 years, whereas they grow to be solely the second reigning Premier League champion to take action after Manchester United of their ultimate three residence video games of the 2001-02 season.

Klopp wants to seek out a solution to his aspect’s attacking lethargy at residence earlier than they welcome a Manchester Metropolis aspect who’ve saved six successive clear sheets on Sunday.

‘The boys seemed drained mentally’

Liverpool boss Klopp chatting with BBC Radio 5 Dwell: “Dissatisfied, nothing to smile about actually. Powerful one to take. A very powerful week – two away video games, two very intense video games – and tonight we seemed actually like we weren’t recent sufficient mentally and bodily.

“Plenty of moments the place we gave the ball away too simply, in moments the boys seemed drained mentally. I do know they’ll cross the ball from A to B however it did not occur. We made it straightforward for Brighton however in addition they did very well.

“Brighton deserved to win, little question about it. For me, it is extra essential to seek out a proof for why we misplaced this recreation and perceive what occurred right here. We did not look convincing.”

Brighton supervisor Potter: “We confirmed braveness once we had the ball and once we did not. We defended with our lives. We restricted an excellent staff to not too many possibilities. We had just a few ourselves.

“It’s a must to be disciplined right here. Enormous credit score to the gamers who labored so onerous. I can not converse extremely sufficient of the character of efficiency – sensational.

“It isn’t a simple place to get factors. They are a prime staff. We’re simply making an attempt our greatest on this league. Each recreation we face an enormous job. It is one for the supporters and everybody concerned within the membership. It isn’t typically a membership like us come right here and win.”

Sanchez gathering clear sheets – the stats

• Liverpool have misplaced consecutive residence league video games for the primary time since September 2012, having been unbeaten in 68 at Anfield earlier than this.
• Brighton beat Liverpool for the primary time in 13 conferences – the final time was a 2-0 FA Cup win in 1984.
• Brighton have gained three of their previous 4 Premier League video games (one draw), as many as that they had of their earlier 23.
• This was the primary time the Seagulls have gained back-to-back league video games since November 2019.
• Brighton have conceded simply 10 targets in 11 Premier League video games with Robert Sanchez in aim this season (5 clear sheets).
• Alzate grew to become the fourth participant this season to attain his first Premier League aim in a match in opposition to Liverpool at Anfield, essentially the most to have finished so in a single season since 1998-99.

What subsequent?

Liverpool host Manchester Metropolis within the league on Sunday (16:30 GMT), whereas Brighton go to Burnley on Saturday (15:00).

Participant of the match

WebsterAdam Webster