All the reaction from Brighton’s FA Cup defeat at Liverpool
Brighton midfielder Matt O'Riley was a notable absentee from the matchday squad as the Seagulls exited the FA Cup at Liverpool.
The Reds were in ruthless mood as goals from Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah’s penalty was too much for Brighton to deal with.
Prior to the match head coach Fabain Hurzeler said the FA Cup clash could be a good chance for O'Riley to get game time after returning from his loan at Marseille.
O'Riley featured in the closing stages of their 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace and last Wednesday was an unused substitute at Aston Villa.
At Anfield he missed out altogether, which begs the question of quite where the £25m playmaker will fit in during the second half of the campaign?
"Unfortunately we had to make a decision. We had a big squad today we had to leave two players out," was Hurzeler’s simple explanation.
Before the trip to Anfield, Hurzeler told Sussex World:"I think in the position 6 or 8," said the boss when asked on O'Riley best role.
"So he's quite good when he's positioned in the pocket, he has a good left foot, he has a good understanding of the game, he has a good anticipation, he has a good finish.
"So he's also doing well when he attacks the opponent's box.
"I think in the pocket that's his best position, and definitely the FA Cup can give him an opportunity to play."
Brighton lack composure in front of goal
Brighton certainly lacked a calmness and a "good finish" at Liverpool as Jack Hinshelwood, Diego Gomez and Lewis Dunk all missed presentable opportunities.
"We started the game well," Hurzeler added to the BBC. "We controlled the ball and the game changed a little bit when they scored. The goal came out of nowhere. We had two big chances in the first half and we didn't use them. Liverpool were more effective.
"Second half it was the same picture we had a big chance with Lewis and then a two or three minutes after they scored.
"That was the difference, they used their moments and we didn't in the way they did. In the end it is a disappointing result because our fans were great today, they supported us for 90 minutes and they deserved more."
The FA Cup exit adds pressure on Hurzeler as his Brighton team have just one win in their last 12 Premier League matches ahead of next week’s vital clash at Brentford.
"We can't feel sorry for ourselves," he added. "We can't complain about these moments. It is about us and me taking responsibility and working for it. You have to do the small step right and then we can take a big step."
Continue Reading