Liverpool’s terrible 3-0 away defeat to Brighton was deservedly destroyed by the media, as the Reds’ problems are getting worse every week.
Jurgen Klopp’s team showed an incomprehensibly bad game at the Amex on Saturday afternoon, and at that time it was impossible to imagine getting into the top four.
Solly March scored a quick double early in the second half, and Danny Welbeck also scored a goal, and Liverpool rarely tried to give an answer.
Here’s how the media analyzed this latest grim spectacle.
It really was a shocking performance by Liverpool…
Telegraph’s Jim White believes the Reds are a shadow of the team they once were:
“It’s not all bad news for Liverpool. If this time they were tired of chasing four trophies last season, at least next season they won’t have such a problem.
“This defeat leaves them not just 10 points behind Manchester United in the league, but now that they have dropped to the middle of the table, they are two behind Brighton. And, to be honest, after that, no one will be surprised.
“This Liverpool team is the husk of the one that recently fought for all four trophies, one of which was outwitted, outplayed and maneuvered by the excellent Brighton team.
“The smirk of the home coach Roberto De Zerbi as he ran down the sideline when the third goal was scored was absolutely revealing.
“Even without the sulking Leandro Trossard, who scored a hat-trick in the return match at Anfield, it was a walk.”
Jamie Carragher on Twitter criticized Liverpool’s terrible defense:
Liverpool are as bad defensively as anyone in the Premier League right now. Fortunately they have the best keeper which means they aren’t further down the table. #BHALIV
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 14, 2023
Freddie Cayley of The Mirror worried about how predictable the outcome was:
“What particularly worried Liverpool was how inferior they were in all aspects.
“The Reds were not only on sixes and sevens at the back; they were also ragged in midfield and toothless in attack, where Levi Colville nullified a forward line consisting of Mohamed Salah and Kodi Gakpo, who made his Premier League debut.
Liverpool never looked like forcing their way back into the match to create a nervous ending, and their poor defending was again on display in the closing stages when Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez couldn’t handle the bouncing ball and Danny Welbeck scored for Brighton. thirdly.
“The Reds’ chances of reaching the Champions League are slipping away from them at an alarming rate, while the Seagulls may begin to have serious hopes of getting into European competitions.”
John Bruin of The Guardian believes that this is a new low of the season for Liverpool:
“After such a high flight last season, Liverpool is going through several catastrophic downturns. Defeat to the inspired, excellent Brighton may be the lowest of all.
“It was a mournful performance by Jurgen Klopp’s team, subordination to a team that switched gears under the leadership of Roberto de Derbi.
“The fact that their first two goals were scored by Solly March, who joined the club when it was playing in the first league, reminded them how far they have come.
“Moises Caicedo and Alexis McAllister together dominated in midfield for the first time since November 13. McAllister, wearing his World Cup medal, received a standing ovation before the match.
“Both South Americans have recently been linked with a move to Liverpool, where Klopp chose the old midfield guard Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho. The previous area of great strength has become a serious problem.”
GOAL’s Neil Jones was another who was at a loss for the show’s inappropriateness:
Liverpool have lost their first two league games in a calendar year for the first time since 1993 and look like a team devoid of faith, ideas and cohesion.
“Their midfield, constantly criticized throughout this campaign, did not exist again, their defense could not cope with the constant pressure it was under, and an improvised attack involving newcomer Cody Gakpo during his debut in the Premier League did not give anything in return. goal threat.
“They obviously have big problems. By the end of the weekend they could be 10 points below the top four and it will take a brave player to back them up to fight back from the position they are in now.”
Klopp deserves some criticism, as do many players…
Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle was baffled by Klopp’s decision:
“Definition of insanity? Do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.
— Yes, it’s a cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less accurate. Certainly not in the case of Jurgen Klopp and this increasingly confused Liverpool team.
“The starting line—up, showing only one change — and moreover forced – from a happy escape from the FA Cup at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, was asked to suppress the bright Brighton & Hove Albion and revive hopes of reaching the Champions League.
[…]
“Klopp’s misguided faith has been rewarded with a new low in the season, which continues to highlight the defeat in the Champions League final against Real Madrid last May, now it’s the end for his team.”
Mark Delgado of This Is Anfield Thinks It’s Time to Give Up Some Players:
“Without a doubt, it was a terrible team game in the first half. However, the three players above the others were out of sorts again.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain, devoid of sharpness and missing more than one early challenge; Henderson, a passenger in midfield, offering nothing in any of the boxes; and Joel Matip, who was so often caught on Kaoru Mitoma’s runs without the ball, Ferguson’s strength and any passes behind him.
“It was the latter two who managed to present the first ball between themselves — Matip caught the ball, Henderson was not alert or balanced enough to accept the game or challenge — but this goal was only the latest in a series of mistakes by the Reds. .
“Henderson, Andy Robertson, Alisson, Ibrahima Konate have all been at it in recent weeks, adding personality to the appalling lack of cohesion at the team level.
“It’s definitely time for the boss to acknowledge and acknowledge that too many of them are just way below the required level, right now, if not in the long term, and remove them without remorse.”
Where the hell are the Reds going from here?
Doyle said the changes just have to happen, and fast:
“Klopp admitted before the game that the inevitable physical and psychological exhaustion from the quads last season had a negative impact on his players.
“Indeed, they might have preferred to get into the top four and an earlier exit from the Champions League if it meant avoiding what has happened since then.
[…]
“Make no mistake, it was a shame. Half of the season is still ahead, but changes have to happen. Now. Before it’s too late.”
On Twitter, David Lynch focused on the need for new contracts — this month it looks like reinforcement or the collapse of Liverpool:
Nothing shocking about this result – Brighton are simply a better team than Liverpool. And that won’t change without further signings and players coming back from injury because Klopp just isn’t mitigating for the fact his current options can’t do what he’s asking them to.
— David Lynch (@dmlynch) January 14, 2023
