Brighton 2-3 Liverpool: Great Gruda tops ratings on full debut

With a League Cup quarter final spot up for grabs, Fabian Hurzeler opted to heavily rotate his team with eight changes from the weekend draw with Wolves. As our Brighton 2-3 Liverpool ratings show, not many of the fringe players brought into the starting XI made the most of their opportunity.

Brajan Gruda was the exception. The £25 million summer signing from Mainz made his full debut following an injury hit start to life in England. And he gave Reds captain Andy Robertson plenty to think about in a very encouraging performance.

It was a less positive evening for the likes of Tariq Lamptey, Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder and Mats Wieffer. None gave Fabian Hurzeler much reason to consider upping their limited Premier League minutes so far this season over the coming weeks.

The introductions of Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck were needed to spark Brighton into life. Both Albion goals came in the 15 minutes they were on the pitch, suggesting Brighton could well have advanced to the last eight of the competition for the first time since the 1970s had Hurzeler named a full strength XI.

Here are your Brighton 2-3 Liverpool player ratings.

Jason Steele – 6.08

No spectacular goal costing cock up like the one we saw in the previous round against Wolves, sadly. There were a couple of hairy moments trying to play out from the back but his biggest contribution were a series of good saves throughout both halves.

Tariq Lamptey – 5.50

Mixed evening for Lamptey. Not convincing at all defensively, including being hugely culpable when getting dispossessed ahead of the middle Liverpool goal. He was though a threat going forward, scoring Brighton’s second and only being denied a fine assist by Vítezslav Jaros somehow tipping Simon Adingra’a header away.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.08

His passing ability created some decent openings for the Albion. Decent enough at the back before his pre-planned withdrawal after 70 minutes with Joel Veltman taking over for the last 20.

Igor Julio – 6.17

Igor! Igor! Igor! Could not be faulted for any of the goals and even seemed to rein in his overwhelming desire to embark on mazy runs and risky turns.

Ferdi Kadioglu – 6.08

Went off injured at half time. Hurzeler has since confirmed it was not serious and he should be okay for the rematch with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Jakub Moder – 5.75

Did some decent things in terms of trying to win possession for Brighton. It is highly likely though that this was his final appearance in an Albion shirt ahead of a January move.

Mats Wieffer – 5.92

Needed a decent showing after messing up that four on one against Wolves. And decent is just about what he delivered. Should have been stronger in the build up to Liverpool adding their third but this was still something to build on and he showed good character as Hurzeler said he expected.

BRAJAN GRUDA – 7.25

A hugely encouraging performance on the right wing saw him top the Brighton 2-3 Liverpool ratings on his first start for the club. Was not far away with a curling effort just wide in the second half. Robertson will not be looking forward to facing Gruda again should Hurzeler use him at Anfield.

Julio Enciso – 5.58

Pathetic theatrics rolling around on the floor as if his career had been ended, only to then jump up as right as rain when he realised Brighton had a free kick and he could shoot from 30 yards. Hard to see him getting much game time between now and Christmas with Georginio Rutter improving every week and Joao Pedro to return from injury soon.

Simon Adingra – 6.67

One of the best performers of the Albion’s League Cup run. Denied by a brilliant Jaros save early in the second half before beating the Liverpool debutant goalkeeper late in the day for a deserved goal. A showing which strengthened opinion that Adingra is much better playing down the left than the right.

Evan Ferguson – 6.75

Two chances, one lifted over the bar and the other saved by Jaros. Does seem to be playing himself back into some form, which can help ease the burden on Welbeck.

Pervis Estupinan – 6.42

Liverpool did not know what to do when Estupinan and Mitoma dovetailed up the left flank for the final 15 minutes.

Jack Hinshelwood – 5.67

Didn’t really notice him when he came on.

Joel Veltman – 5.50

Slotted in alongside Igor for a rare centre back outing.

Kaoru Mitoma – 6.92

Second spot in the Brighton 2-3 Liverpool ratings for 15 minutes is telling of the impact Mitoma made. More of the same on Merseyside this weekend, please.

Danny Welbeck – 6.25

Not as prominent as Mitoma. But you could still sense the fear in the Liverpool ranks when an in-form Dat Guy was summoned from the bench.