With Liverpool already confirmed as Premier League champions and Brighton pretty much safe from relegation, plus the lack of atmosphere in the stands, there was little riding on this game.
Jurgen Klopp made four changes to the side that beat Aston Villa in a rudimentary win only notable for Curtis Jones’ first Premier League goal, albeit keeping to their usual 4-3-3 formation. Neco Williams got a start at left-back in place of Andy Robertson that puts him closer to gaining a league winner’s medal, while Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino all returned to the line-up in place of Fabinho, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being moved from midfield into attack.
Graham Potter set up his incredibly flexible Brighton side in a 4-4-2 diamond shape.
They remained dedicated to playing out from the back, tilting their midfield so that Davy Pröpper dropped in alongside Dale Stephens so there was a man either side of Firmino, just as they had in the first game, stopping the Brazilian from being able to block the passes into both of them.
This quickly backfired on Brighton though. Pröpper has shown a slickness to his play under Potter but he does also have a habit of giving the ball away cheaply, such as against Wolves. Liverpool scored an early goal thanks to this when Naby Keita pounced on a heavy touch by Pröpper and rolled the ball into Mohamed Salah to finish.
Minutes later Liverpool doubled their lead when Adam Webster dribbled past Firmino into midfield only to find himself surrounded by Liverpool players with no one to pass to after taking a heavy touch. Keita intercepted the ball and Liverpool immediately countered, Henderson’s shot dipping over Mat Ryan.
They were typical Liverpool goals, quick attacks from counter-pressing, and typical Brighton conceded goals, getting caught out spread out across the pitch trying to play out from the back.
Although they didn’t really need to thanks to the early goals, Liverpool struggled to create chances outside of this. The set-up of having two right-footers on the left really didn’t help as it meant they were both forever trying to cut inside onto their stronger foot rather than going down the outside, allowing Brighton to keep solid through the middle. Tariq Lampty put in a good performance although Williams managed to trick him a few times by shaping to cross then cutting back to run down the line, adapting well to playing on his unnatural side.
Despite the disappointment of going behind so easily, Brighton looked dangerous. They looked to hit quick balls in behind the full-backs, particularly down the left, to break in behind Liverpool and drill in a low cross or pull-back to their front two.
Brighton managed to pull a goal back shortly before half-time. Pascal Gross pulled Williams forward and Lamptey attacked the space on the overlap, whipping in a cross before the Welshman could recover. Neil Maupay and Leandro Trossard made runs either side to isolate Joe Gomez, with the Belgian finishing after the young centre-back opted to follow Maupay. Trent Alexander-Arnold should have been tracking back quicker to drop in alongside Gomez and this failure to is one of the remaining habits that show off his past as a midfielder, keeping track of his man rather than dropping off as part of a unit.
Regardless, Liverpool retook control in the second half and solidified their lead with another Salah goal from a corner.
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