Liverpool’s ability to rediscover their intensity lasted all of one match as they were outworked in their 10th defeat of the season at Brighton.
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool
Premier League (31) | Amex Stadium
March 20, 2026
Goals: Welbeck 14′, 56′; Kerkez 30′
If styles make fights, what was Liverpool’s excuse vs. Brighton?
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 was keen to make a point of the fact that Liverpool were only able to so convincingly dispatch Galatasaray in midweek because they came to play football, rather than sit in a low block.
Well, the Reds were given the chance to show their quality again against a Brighton side that favours an expansive, attractive game, yet found themselves comprehensively outplayed.
And that is the biggest issue the Dutchman faces in convincing his superiors that he deserves to stay at Anfield beyond the end of this season.
The reality is, it doesn’t matter what approach the opponent prefers, there is every chance they can get at and hurt this Liverpool team.
Second half was a disgrace
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones blocks a shot on 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)
It is to Liverpool’s credit that, after conceding the customary early goal, they fought back to level things up before the half-time break, giving themselves a chance to be better in the second period.
Unfortunately, they could barely have been worse to such a degree that it felt unfair that Brighton only won by a single goal.
The hosts outshot the Reds (11-4), had more shots on target (6-2), created more big chances (3-0) and generated 1.63xG to their opponents’ 0.21.
The only thing lacking was the Seagulls’ finishing of their chances to confirm it as one of the worst 45 minutes of the entire campaign.
Liverpool were inexcusably poor, but they’ve also been unlucky
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike walks down the tunnel injured during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Let’s get this straight, nothing can excuse quite how bad Liverpool have been over the course of this Premier League season, but it is also worth acknowledging that they have combined that with also being unlucky, as this game proved.
Having seemingly landed on a system that works for them in midweek, the Reds were able to keep it in place for just eight minutes here, thanks to an injury to Hugo Ekitike.
And that meant the Frenchman effectively joining Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni in missing this game.
As much as this team is a shambles worthy of criticism, there seems little question that they would be improved by not having such a lengthy injury list.
Liverpool’s squad is not fit for purpose
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)
Of course, while the above is true, it is worth noting that it should not take just five or so injuries to feel like you are down to the bare bones.
And that Liverpool have been is proof that Slot has been left with a squad that is simply not good enough to play well twice in a week – as is expected at Anfield.
Liverpool look short in attack, midfield, and defence, having focused on quality over quantity during a summer window that was incorrectly lauded by many.
That looks like a foolish approach to squad-building for a side that hopes to compete in four competitions and the most intense league in the world.
New-found intensity lasts for one game
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (R) waits with referee Darren England during a VAR check for an offside but goal was given during the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s midweek win over Galatasaray felt like something to build on largely because of the rare show of intensity that saw them outrun their opponents for the first time in a long time.
However, that quickly went out of the window here, with Brighton boasting 115.97km covered to their opponents’ 107.94km.
Clearly, it was always going to be harder to outwork the hosts when you have played on Wednesday, and they have had a week off, but that never seemed to be beyond the majority of these players when they were managed by Jurgen Klopp.
And so there can be little disappointment that, in working harder, Brighton managed to dominate the game and earn a deserved win.