Brighton 2-2 Liverpool – Player Ratings

Despite taking a lead thanks to a Mohamed Salah brace, Liverpool return from their trip to the Amex on Sunday with just a point, following a 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.

The hosts took the lead after just 20 minutes after Alexis MacAllister was robbed of possession by Simon Adingra, who then caught Alisson out with his long-range effort.

However, surprisingly, the Reds managed to go in at half-time ahead after a quickfire double from Salah. The first came in the 40th minute, with the Egyptian tucking the ball into the far corner from inside the box, rounding off an excellent move.

The second came in first-half stoppage time when Liverpool's high press caught the Brighton defence napping and Dominik Szoboszlai was dragged to the ground. Salah stepped up and tucked the spot-kick away with aplomb.

Liverpool were mostly in control in the second half until another defensive lapse, this time from Scotland captain Andy Robertson, allowed Lewis Dunk to thigh home Solly March's freekick from the left in with 15 minutes left to go.

Lacking offensive options from the bench, Jürgen Klopp's team had to settle for a point which leaves them in third place, three points off leaders Tottenham (albeit with the Arsenal-Manchester City game yet to kick off).

Here are the player ratings from the match.

Alisson (GK): 6

Although not directly his fault, Alisson was made to look silly by Simon Adingra’s opening goal. He lost his bearings when Alexis Mac Allister had his pocket picked and committed to the dive too soon with the ball not travelling at any great pace. Made an important save at the start of the second half to prevent Adingra equalising, spreading himself well, and could do nothing about Lewis Dunk’s goal. Overall, however, not his best day.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): 7

Our vice-captain looked like he’d never been away. Slotted effortlessly back into his hybrid role, spraying passes across the field with ease and was alert in his defensive work too, making two key interceptions as the last man.

Joël Matip (CB): 7

Didn’t look fazed after his own goal last week and was a calm presence in the back line until his substitution in the 73rd minute.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 7

His pass into Mac Allister when the Argentinian had two men ready to pounce was ill-advised and led to Adingra making it 1-0. Brighton felt they should have had a penalty in the second half but punishing his handball would have been extremely harsh. Recovered well after his shaky start.

Andy Robertson (LB): 6

Poor defending, seemingly pulling out from clearing Solly March’s free-kick at the near post, allowed Dunk to make it 2-2 at a time when Liverpool felt in control of the game. Struggled in his battle with Adingra.

Alexis Mac Allister (CDM): 6

His first return to the Amex Stadium didn’t go to plan at all in the first half, with Brighton’s high press robbing him of possession on the edge of the box and directly leading to the opening goal. Was better in the second half when he had more protection from Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, but still struggled with the defensive side of the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai (CM): 7

Led the press in the first half when cohesion with his teammates wasn’t quite there. Was a lot better in the second half as he dropped deeper, linking well, as he does, with Salah and Alexander-Arnold down the right. Was unlucky not to get an assist when his low cross was hit onto the crossbar at the far post by Gravenberch at the start of the first half.

Harvey Elliott (CM): 6

Perhaps a surprise inclusion, having played 90 minutes on Thursday, he was crucially important to the Reds’ tactical set-up in the first half, mostly hugging the right touchline and allowing Mohamed Salah to play more centrally. Showed great awareness to let the ball run for Salah to score the equaliser but was fairly quiet.

Mohamed Salah (RW): 8

Took both his goals very well. The first was a trademark finish, while the power on his penalty left Bart Verbruggen with no chance, despite going the right way.

Played a fairly unfamiliar role, dropping deep to link play in the first half and was unlucky with some through passes. His influence waned in the second half when he was restored to his usual position.

Darwin Núñez (ST): 5

Liverpool's “chaos-creator-in-chief” was mostly anonymous today. He gets the assist for Salah's opener but, in reality, his pass was meant for Elliott (the dummy made it). On any other day, he probably would have been hooked off, but the lack of options off the bench prevented this from happening.

Luis Díaz (LW): 5

Had a relatively quiet day by his standards until he spurned a glorious chance to make it 3-1, 20 minutes into the first half, dragging his shot wide following a swift counter-attack. Again, probably would have been brought off in different circumstances.

Substitutes:

Ryan Gravenberch (CM) (Elliott, 46’): 6

His introduction allowed the Reds and, specifically, Szoboszlai to return to a more regular shape. Was unlucky to hit the crossbar with practically his first touch. Besides that, didn’t have much impact.

Ibrahima Konaté (CB) (Matip, 73’): 6

Good to see him back in the team. Could do nothing to prevent the equaliser after Robertson inexplicably and unexpectedly let the ball through.

Joe Gomez (RB) (Alexander-Arnold, 80’): N/A

Came on to preserve Alexander-Arnold's legs and picked up a yellow card for his troubles.