Harvey Elliott stuns, Ibrahima Konate miserable – Liverpool ratings vs Brighton
Liverpool’s poor performance against Brighton was highlighted by the struggles faced by Ibrahima Konate.
Arne Slot chose to rest several key players, including Virgil van Dijk, with his side having little to play for in their penultimate game of the season.
A wonderfully worked goal set up Harvey Elliott for the opener, before Brighton replied through Yasin Ayari.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s fortunate long-range strike gave Liverpool the lead once again, but the champions failed to capitalise on several chances before the Seagulls scored twice through Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood to win 3-2.
The Reds will be looking to bounce back and finish their season with a win when they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, 25 May.
Liverpool allow Brighton fight from behind to steal victory
Alisson – 8
Nine saves, three goals conceded. A busy night for the Brazilian shot-stopper who did his best despite his defence doing little to help him.
Conor Bradley (off for Endo 78′) – 7
Bradley signed a contract extension with Liverpool and repaid the faith shown in him by assisting Elliott’s opener. The young defender looks ready to take over the right-back role following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit to Real Madrid [Liverpool News 247].
Ibrahima Konate – 2
Horror showing from the Frenchman who looked utterly lost without the safety blanket of Van Dijk.
Jarell Quansah unimpressive in place of Virgil van Dijk
Jarell Quansah – 4
Quansah struggled immensely to deal with the vastly experienced Welbeck, a difficult night capped off a difficult season for the England international.
Konstantinos Tsimikas – 5
Leeds are interested in Tsimikas this summer, and despite being a valuable squad member, his showing against Brighton proved he is not the answer at left-back long-term.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Stuck in the mud. Having started 35 games for Liverpool this season and played 3,010 minutes, Gravenberch looked to have run out of steam against Brighton.
Dominik Szoboszlai (off for Jones 64′) – 8
Delightful. The Hungarian midfielder loves scoring sensational goals, it seems to be the only way he ever finds the back of the net. Wonderful performance capped off by a wonder-goal.
Mohamed Salah fails to have impact against Brighton
Mohamed Salah – 6
Quiet. Salah has slowed down in recent weeks with the hard work completed, and despite benefiting from the energy of Bradley behind him, the Egyptian struggled to find a way through against the Seagulls.
Harvey Elliott – 9 – Player of the Match
Ran the show. Elliott has been linked with a Liverpool exit, having struggled to break into the team under Slot, but showed his class against Brighton with a goal and an assist.
Cody Gakpo (off for Diaz 63′) – 5
Taken off after a disappointing hour on the pitch, with his shooting wayward and dribbling uninspiring.
Federico Chiesa (off for Nunez 63′) – 4
It just won’t go right for the Italian. The 27-year-old showed very brief glimpses of his talent, but was largely a bystander all game long. It would be no surprise to see Chiesa leave Liverpool this summer.
Substitutes
Darwin Nunez (on for Chiesa 63′) – 4
Full of energy, lacking in quality, the Uruguayan is a perpetually frustrating player to watch.
Luis Diaz (on for Gakpo 63′) – 7
Diaz offered more of a threat than Gakpo, but each opportunity created was wasted by his attacking teammates.
Curtis Jones (on for Szoboszlai 64′) – 5
A touch of class, but Jones struggled to have any real impact in his stint on the pitch.
Wataru Endo (on for Bradley 78′) – 5
Playing out of position, the Japanese defender allowed Mitoma to score Brighton’s second relatively unchallenged.