Player Ratings for Liverpool’s 3-2 Victory Over Brighton in EFL Cup | OneFootball

Brighton 2-3 Liverpool – EFL Cup 4th Round Player Ratings

The EFL Cup came tearing back into midweek life, as Liverpool travelled to the south coast to take on overachieving Brighton at the American Express Stadium.

The line up and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Vítězslav Jaroš – 8.0

The Czech backup stopper started this game due to the uncertainty surrounding the long-term fitness of the red’s world class keeper, Alisson Becker. From the outset, the goalkeeping third choice was assured and made a good stop early on to deny an opening goal.

After the intermission, the 23-year-old was superb with a one handed save to keep his side in the lead. The novice keeper was not at fault for either goal conceded and will feel annoyed with some suspect defending ahead of him.

Conor Bradley – 5.0

The Irish superstar started with a license to get forward and provide width on the overlap. His energy and speed were a key outlet on the break as he tested his opponents at every opportunity. On the defensive side, the young fullback was steady and stiff up well to oncoming attacks.

Following the half time break, the Northern Irish captain was set upon and could not contain the wide assets that attacked him, in a game that became a chase for the Brighton side.

Andy Robertson – 4.0

The Scotland international skipper was caught a little too deep early on, thus creating a goal scoring opportunity for the hosts. With a captain’s role on the night, he soon settled down and offered solid coverage through the opening half. The fiery Scot was unfortunate not to score late in the half, as his forward run ended in a fine low shot and good save from the home keeper.

In the second half of this game, the left fullback was again unconvincing in his work, as he struggled to stop his wide man advancing down the flank.

Joe Gomez – 7.0

The England international defender was effective and combative from the off, as the senior central defender on the pitch.

After the half time team talk, the former Charlton man was eager to drive his team forward and show his experience amongst a raft of fringe assets.

Jarell Quansah – 5.0

The England under-21 defender was powerful and front footed from the opening bell, as he won his duals as they presented themselves.

After the break the 6ft 3inch academy graduate was again steady and strong when called upon, as his direct opponent, Evan Ferguson, offered a physical challenge. Unfortunately for the young defender, some uncharacteristic mistakes allowed Brighton into the game and he was hauled off before the end.

Subbed – 90+2

Wataru Endō – 7.0

The Japan captain was drafted into the midweek starting line up to protect a back four that was largely unfamiliar with one another. His want to win the ball and cut passing lanes was a keen sign of his ability in an energetic first half.

As the encounter resumed, the former Bundesliga star was a little rash into a challenge and left the field on a caution, before he received a second.

Subbed – 64 mins

Tyler Morten – 7.0

The England under-21 midfielder started this game with a real confidence on the ball in tight spaces. His positional play dovetailed nicely with his Japanese partner, as the opening half flowed through the pitch.

After the halftime team talk, the 21-year-old was the man with the early assist, as he set the opening goal scorer, Cody Gakpo, free on the far side.

Subbed – 64 mins

Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.0

The Hungarian captain started this game as a more advanced entity, with a desire to surge onwards at every opportunity.

In the second period, the versatile midfielder was very unlucky not to double the visitors advantage, after a breakaway counter ended with a trio of attackers overcomplicating the moment, before the reds no.8, struck at the keeper from close range.

Subbed – 70 mins

Photo: IMAGO

Luis Díaz – 7.0

The Colombian flyer was the wide right outlet that used his trickery on the ball to engage his marker through an eventful first half. The inform winger should have headed home just after the half hour mark, however, that effort drifted just wide at 0-0.

In the second half, the former Porto man was lively if unspectacular, as he looked to create moments with his direct nature. The enigmatic attacker scored his team’s third goal to round off a solid performance.

Curtis Jones – 7.0

The England under-21 star was a facilitator between midfield and attack, as he operated as a double no.10 alongside his teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai. His smart on ball work allowed attacks to build quickly, with a position that was hard to pick up for his Brighton adversaries.

After the restart, the academy graduate was steady and important in his midfield position, as others led the charge to grab the goals.

Cody Gakpo – 8.0 (Man of the Match)

The Dutch wide man was gifted lots of space in the opening half and he had a good curling strike edge just past the far post early on. The opening 45-minutes was brimming with almost moments, however, the 6ft 4inch attacker could not covert before the break.

After that break, the former PSV man was able to right the wrongs of a misfiring first half and unleash an unstoppable strike into the top corner, just seconds after the restart. It would be the second goal which just about ended the game as a contest, as he latched onto a loose ball to drive on and thunder a low shot inside the near post.

Subbed – 70 mins

Substitutions:

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.0 (on 64)

Came on to control from a winning position.

Trey Nyoni – 6.0 (on 64)

Came on to add some youthful energy.

Mohamed Salah – 6.0 (on 70)

Came on to add deadly intent.

Darwin Núñez – 6.0 (on 70)

Came on to add power and pace in transition.

Ibrahima Konaté – N/A (on 90+2)

Came on to add assurance at the death.

The Manager:

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch manager was keen to rotate his squad, with eight changes coming to the starting eleven. The box midfield with two wide men caused positional issues for the hosts, with good explosive movement from his two operating no.10’s.

All the substitutions made sense and came to ensure the game stayed won, as mistakes created a tense finale.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Brighton 2 – 3 Liverpool