Liverpool performance sets Brighton benchmark for the run-in

Ahead of the trip to Liverpool, I truly believed Brighton could return from Anfield with all three points. Although that did not happen at the end of the day, the Albion were unlucky not to get something for their efforts.

If they can take the performance they gave against Liverpool and repeat it over the remaining nine games, then a good number of the 27 points up for grabs could yet be added to the Seagull’s total – even with some of the best teams still to play in the run-in to the end of the season.

Brighton wasted no time in shocking the Premier League leaders, needing only one minute and 24 seconds for Danny Welbeck to smash the Seagulls into the lead. Just what the doctor ordered after a tough four weeks.

Much of the distress has come from speculation around Roberto De Zerbi. Johnny Cantor on BBC Radio Sussex sought to put listener minds at ease before the game, saying we must not necessarily think De Zerbi will leave this summer because there are plenty of discussions to be had.

We all know De Zerbi’s passion is football and success. I am sure if he feels all the pegs are in place with the chairman and CEO and that there is the chance to make more history, he will stay. Who knows, he could even be our Sir Alex Ferguson?

Before I talk about Liverpool 2-1 Brighton, I feel like I must mention some of the Albion’s online content over the international break.

I really enjoy seeing the players in a more relaxed environment where they can really be themselves. One of these situations is called Buzz’s Boot Room Quiz with Albion boot room manager Alex Burrows.

The quiz is broken up into rounds with two players testing their knowledge against each other. Alex and the players taking part are all hilarious and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face after a tough day.

We also saw cook extraordinaire Adam Webster in the kitchen at the training ground, interviewing the club’s head chef about what goes into a balanced diet.

Sun Harvest provide the catering, ensuring the players are well fed and in top form. Webster is brilliant to watch as he helps out with the cooking.

Whatever he served his teammates did the trick with that fast start against Liverpool. Simon Adingra made great progress down the left and when his pass into the box bounced off Jakub Moder, Welbeck caught the ball beautifully to pick out the top right corner on his 100th Albion appearance.

Despite it being a sunny day, Johnny and Warren Aspinall in the commentary position were feeling very cold in the shade and with the wind blowing a hooley around the main stand. Hopefully, the early goal warmed them up a little.

There had been a minute silence prior to kick off for the late Larry Lloyd. Mr Lloyd played for Liverpool in the Bill Shankly Era between 1969 and 1974, and sadly passed away on March 28th at the age of 75.

He also played for England and went onto become a football coach after retirement. The Liverpool anthem of You’ll Never Walk Alone felt particularly apt on such a day.

With the Premier League title race between Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City so close, the Reds already had plenty of motivation to beat Brighton before taking into account getting a victory to celebrate the life of Mr Lloyd.

And Liverpool soon set about their task of responding to that early Welbeck goal. Mo Salah looked fired up, getting into good positions only to put a number of chances over the bar.

Thank goodness Salah does not have his shooting boots on, I thought to myself. Maybe Brighton could hold on for the 88-and-a-half minutes remaining?!

Or not. Liverpool equalised on 27 minutes when Joel Veltman miss-controlled what looked like an attempted pass back to Bart Verbruggen.

Luis Diaz intercepted and popped the ball into the back of the Albion net. You could say it was a defensive error, but it was still not as if Liverpool were going to roll over at 1-0 down.

Brighton responded well and kept giving the Reds something to think about. Welbeck shot into the side netting as both he and Simon Adingra continued to cause Liverpool problems in what was fast becoming an end-to-end clash, so exciting to watch.

Alexis Mac Allister put a header just wide early in the second half as the hosts got on top following the restart. The pressure eventually told on 65 minutes when Dominik Szoboszlai placed a pass into Mac Allister, the former Albion midfielder threaded an amazing ball to Salah who had found his shooting boots and beat Verbruggen.

Diaz thought he had made it 3-1, only for the offside flag to go up with VAR confirming it was the correct decision.

Liverpool clearly felt that a one-goal advantage was not enough against Brighton, with Anfield reported to be quiet and nervous. Moder flashed a great ball across goal which nobody could connect with as the tension on the Kop increased.

The Reds did though look dangerous on the counter. Mo Salah broke faster than trap four at the Greyhound Stadium, forcing Verbruggen into a good save.

Dunk had a superbly placed header kept out by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and Adam Lallana slipped a one-on-one just wide. Again, so close.

Verbruggen denied Salah again with the best save of the game, a fully outstretched arm which reminded me of the TV puppet Twizzle. Is anyone else old enough to remember? Maybe we should rename Verbruggen Bart Twizzle from now on.

One final chance for an equaliser came the way of Welbeck but he could only find the side netting for the second time.

Liverpool were relieved to have hung on come the full time whistle, whilst Jurgen Klopp looked pretty angry at one point in a sign of how much angst the Albion caused the league leaders.

Brighton are not yet firing on all four engines and yet they still managed to give Liverpool a fright. Play like this and get some players back from injury and there is no reason why those remaining nine games cannot bring a lot of joy.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony

Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 charts Brighton’s record breaking 2022-23 campaign through the eyes of Tony Noble, an East Stand Upper season ticket holder at the American Express Stadium. It is available from Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon Bookstore and all good bookshops as well as the Albion Superstore at the Amex and via this link.