Back to Groundhog day for Liverpool, who returned to Premier League action and got back to losing ways on the south coast.
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
Premier League (31) | AMEX Stadium
March 21, 2026
Goals: Welbeck 14′ 56′; Kerkez 30
Giorgi Marmardashvili – 7 (out of 10)
A few early forced errors, culminating in carelessly putting the ball out just before Danny Welbeck’s opener. Made a vital fingertip interception to deny a Yakubah Minteh cross falling onto Welbeck’s head for his second, on the cusp of half-time.
More than stepped up in the second half, with a string of stunning saves to keep a resurgent Brighton at bay.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong (L) blocks Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh's cross during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Obviously targeted as part of Brighton’s game plan, but held his own on the flank despite being hounded by more physical opponents. One of the more enthusiastic of Liverpool’s counter attacking outlets, but nothing came off.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Started the match confidently but was beaten far too easily by Welbeck as the deadlock was broken inside 15 minutes. Recovered, and showed his passing range with a string of successive through-balls from distance. Looked more uncertain as the game passed Liverpool by.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Loud and active, looking hungry every time Brighton offered up another corner kick. Didn’t really put a foot wrong, but once again part of a defence conceding goals and losing a football match. He’ll be taking it very personally.
Milos Kerkez – 8
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez celebrates after scoring the first equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Looked up for a high tempo game of football from the off, alert and active from the first whistle. Going from strength to strength in a Liverpool shirt, and his goal gave another glimpse of the high football IQ he possesses – a great calculated gamble of a run and a striker’s lobbed finish.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Took a little while to get into it and benefitted from the introduction of Curtis Jones, whose calmness on the ball opened up spaces for him to ghost into. Began to look increasingly more anonymous as the game wore on.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Put his head on the line to expertly glance a Dominik Szoboszlai cross goalwards and got his jaw clattered in return. Was always fast to the loose balls and lured opponents into the 50-50 well, as evidenced with Diego Gomes’ obvious yellow card. Not the return to his old stomping ground that he wanted.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Assumed his role as the composer of Liverpool’s orchestra once more. Played with swagger and verve but couldn’t quite find his usual magic with set pieces.
Got embroiled in the grunt work as the second half lost all measure of finesse and left the pitch disappointed once again.
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's players form a pre-match huddle before the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Florian Wirtz – 6
Put on a clinic in getting into the half-spaces and playing nimble one-two release passes through the lines, but was largely contained and frustration started to show.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Deserves credit for spreading the play in the final third, making lots of energetic runs to dislodge the Brighton back line. Drove from deep, with strong footwork making his marker sit off frequently.
Went close to pulling Liverpool level late on but ultimately couldn’t become the talisman Liverpool needed.
Hugo Eiktike – n/a
Withdrawn in under 10 minutes after being handed a meaty challenge by James Milner. Tried to play on but attempts were futile. A big miss.
Overall Team Performance – 6
Substitutes
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Curtis Jones (on for Ekitike, 9′) – 6 – Did well to come on unexpectedly early and adjust to a formation without a recognised striker. Kept popping up in spaces and spread the ball well across the midfield. Unfortunate not to find the bottom corner after being slipped through by Wirtz.
Ngumoha (on for Frimpong, 64′) – 7 – Found his moments on the ball limited, but worked hard out of possession and always showed for the pass. Easily the biggest threat for the final minutes.
Andy Robertson (on for Kerkez, 77′) – 5 – Injected some experience but it felt a bit too late for meaningful impact.
Federico Chiesa (on for Konate, 77′) – 5 – Played through on goal just seconds after his arrival but ran into a corridor or blue and white stripes.
Woodman, Gomez, Morrison, Ramsay, Nyoni
Arne Slot – 5
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot reacts during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot selected a side here who should’ve been more than good enough to take three points from the AMEX. Injury to Ekitike certainly spoiled the party, but Liverpool had enough quality to get the job done – and didn’t.
There is a psychology edge in the Premier League which has Liverpool in a headlock, this group of lads know they’re the reigning champions, soon so be uncrowned, and cannot get a consistent grip on bending domestic fixtures to their will.
This squad are crying out for a summer break and a hard Premier League reset – but there’s far too much work to yet be done before that can be sanctioned. These are very worrying times.
Ten league defeats, with seven games to go, is absolutely shocking.