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Liverpool’s attempt to build on their midweek win over Galatasaray ended in another damaging Premier League defeat as Brighton beat them 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. Danny Welbeck scored in each half, while Milos Kerkez’s opportunistic finish briefly brought Arne Slot’s side level before another defensive lapse restored Brighton’s advantage.
The result left Liverpool with a 10th league defeat of the season and more ground lost in the race for Champions League qualification. Brighton created the clearer chances, finished with 2.30 expected goals from 16 shots, and rarely looked under sustained pressure once Welbeck had scored the winner just before the hour mark.
The pattern that keeps hurting Liverpool
Liverpool had looked sharper and more coherent in Europe on Wednesday, but that level did not carry into another demanding away fixture. Hugo Ekitiké’s early injury disrupted the attacking plan, Mohamed Salah’s absence reduced Liverpool’s cutting edge, and the team never really recovered once Brighton regained control in the second half.
The defensive issues were just as damaging. Liverpool’s opening concession followed loose play and weak defending, while Welbeck’s second goal again exposed poor pressure on the cross and a lack of control inside the penalty area. Slot’s side also allowed Brighton five big chances, which underlined how vulnerable they were without the ball.
Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili — 6.9
Mamardashvili made several useful reaction saves and prevented Brighton from pulling further away. His distribution, however, remained unreliable, and Liverpool never looked fully calm when building from the back.
RB: Jeremie Frimpong — 6.7
Frimpong had a difficult afternoon against Yankuba Minteh’s pace and direct running. He still offered energy going forward, which gave Liverpool one of their few regular outlets in possession.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté — 6.3
Konaté was beaten too easily in the air for Welbeck’s opening goal and never fully settled afterward. It was another uncertain away performance from a defender who struggled to impose himself.
CB: Virgil van Dijk — 6.5
Van Dijk remained a threat on attacking set plays but fell short of his usual authority defensively. Brighton’s second goal also arrived from a delivery Liverpool’s back line failed to manage.
LB: Milos Kerkez — 7.0
Kerkez was Liverpool’s scorer and took his goal well after reacting quickly to Lewis Dunk’s mistake. He also built on the encouraging display he had produced against Galatasaray.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch — 6.7
Gravenberch worked hard but often looked leggy in midfield. Brighton’s energy and movement made life difficult for him, especially as the game opened up after halftime.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister — 6.6
Back at a familiar ground, Mac Allister could not dictate the game consistently. His quality in possession flashed at times, but he also looked fatigued as Brighton’s midfield gained control.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai — 7.6
Szoboszlai received the highest rating and tried to force openings, but Liverpool needed more decisive moments from him in advanced areas. The effort was there, yet the influence was not enough to shift the game.
AM: Florian Wirtz — 7.4
Wirtz moved into a makeshift attacking role after Ekitiké went off but struggled to leave a real mark on the contest. Brighton limited the spaces where he could hurt them.
ST: Cody Gakpo — 6.7
Gakpo battled with limited service and too little support around him. Once Liverpool fell behind again, he rarely received the kind of possession that might have changed the momentum.
ST: Hugo Ekitiké — N/A
Ekitiké lasted only eight minutes before being forced off after a collision with James Milner.
Substitutes
Curtis Jones (on 8’) — 6.9
Jones entered far earlier than expected and gave Liverpool a functional rather than influential display. His late clearance off the line kept the deficit at one.
Rio Ngumoha (on 63’) — 6.5
Ngumoha added some directness after coming on and tried to inject urgency into Liverpool’s attack.
Federico Chiesa (on 77’) — 6.0
Chiesa worked hard but did not produce a telling moment in the final third.
Andy Robertson (on 77’) — 6.2
Robertson had limited time to affect the contest and saw little of the ball in the closing stages.
What the ratings show
The ratings reflect a team that again looked short of balance after a European fixture. Liverpool’s back line never inspired confidence, the midfield appeared heavy-legged, and the front line lost shape after Ekitiké’s early exit.
The numbers reinforced the eye test. Liverpool generated only 1.03 expected goals, created just one big chance, and finished with 12 shots. Brighton were sharper, more dangerous and more coherent, which left Liverpool with another away defeat and another setback in the fight for a top-four finish.