Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Brighton as Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz impressed, and Alexander Isak found the back of the net again for Andoni Iraola
Alexander Isak celebrates with Bradley Barcola after scoring for Liverpool against Brighton.
Alexander Isak celebrates with Bradley Barcola after scoring for Liverpool against Brighton.(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Andoni Iraola's wait for a home Premier League win as Liverpool head coach is over, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz scoring in an impressive victory over high-flying Brighton.
After an even opening, Yasin Ayari blazed over the bar when Pascal Gross got in behind and squared. Only a few minutes passed before Gross was involved in an actual goal, as Wirtz's effort bounced off him and went in, and Liverpool had doubled its lead through Isak before the 25-minute mark.
Ayari later hit the post, but Brighton struggled to create that many clear-cut chances. Fabian Hurzeler's side saw more of the ball in the second half, but without getting the goal that it required.
Winners
Barcola was very lively down the right-hand side and in the first half, he was so direct that Brighton couldn't stop him. Ronald Araujo behind was just as involved.
That is a major positive for Andoni Iraola, who also had Wirtz looking sharp and showing what he can do in a game that is not all about brawn. Isak scored and Cody Gakpo had his moments; it was another step in the right direction for the Liverpool attack.
Losers
Alisson Becker had some odd moments at times, when his distribution was ill-advised or simply not well-executed. In reality, though, he was not that bad with everything else, and perhaps the conditions played a part.
Brighton, meanwhile, who has been on such a good run, struggled to maintain that free-flowing attacking form. It had moments, but nothing sustained. Mainly, that was down to Liverpool playing well.
Player ratings
Alisson Becker (6). Got away with one when Ayari hit the post after he had given the ball away cheaply. Some of his distribution wasn't great, but he can perhaps blame the wind.
Ronald Araujo (8). Back at full-back, having come off at half-time for tactical reasons earlier in the week, he was involved in the second goal by challenging well high upfield. Defensively strong and ventured forward a few times.
J eremy Jacquet (7). Strong on the ball and did well to deal with the confusing Brighton movements. Another performance that suggests he is right at home in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk (7). Dominant aerially and helped guide those around him through the game. Had to ensure he was in the right position a couple of times to bail out teammates.
Milos Kerkez (7). Given a rest against Villarreal, he looked sharp and determined here. Dogged defensively and was prepared to put his body on the line. Advanced forward as often as he could, but his influence waned as the contest grew older.
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Ryan Gravenberch (7). Starting in midfield again — deeper to start with this time, rather than number 10 — the Dutchman looked more like his usual self. Used his body well to protect the ball and began to look like he was anticipating things as he did at his best. Strangely put back at number 10 when Wirtz went off, which really didn't work a few days ago.
Alexis Mac Allister (8). Excellent so far this season, he and Gravenberch seemed to work well alongside one another. Snapped into tackles and was crucial at number six. Sprung a few counters with good passes.
Bradley Barcola (8). Fit and ready to start, he made a very deliberate effort to track back and help out defensively and was decisive in the final third too. Rapid and consistently made the right decisions.
Florian Wirtz* (8). *His work rate has never been in question and was useful here, but his quality on the ball was key too. Knitted things together nicely and battled well in the center when he needed to. Played 64 minutes before going off after sustaining a knock.
Cody Gakpo (7). On the left rather than the right, he still looked to be working his way back to full sharpness at times when he couldn't quite get the ball under control straight away. Good, but much more to come.
Alexander Isak (7). Give him chances and he will score. He did that in the first half and was notably more involved in general play too when he dropped deep and linked things up. Not as involved after the interval.
Substitutes
Trey Nyoni (7). Straight into the action with a great bit of play to get himself out of trouble, and then made a good block too. Deployed higher up than normal in the number eight role and was impressive, always demanding the ball.
Lewis Koumas (6). A couple of nice touches but not always that involved, and was a mile offside at one stage.
Rio Ngumoha (6). Unfortunate not to start in many ways; he got at his man a few times. His main job was to track back and see out the game, which he did. Kostas Tsimikas also came on, but too late to earn a rating.