Liverpool earned what they hope will be the first of two wins against Brighton & Hove Albion this week as they edged a dramatic Carabao Cup fourth-round tie on the south coast.
Arne Slot has made an impressive start to life as Jurgen Klopp’s successor and picked up yet another victory on Wednesday night as Cody Gakpo struck twice alongside a Luis Diaz effort, with the Reds eventually securing a 3-2 triumph after a late attempted comeback from the hosts.
The Dutchman made a number of changes to his starting XI, with plenty of stars hoping they’ve done enough to be involved when the Seagulls travel north for their Premier League meeting on Saturday.
But who did their cases the world of good and whose performances left a bit to be desired? Here are Liverpool’s best and worst players against Brighton as determined by 90min’s player ratings.
Cody Gakpo – 9/10
There’d been hope that the arrival of a compatriot as manager would help unlock the skills Cody Gakpo undoubtedly possesses.
It’s been far from plain sailing so far, but the Netherlands international showed what he can do with a brilliant brace that ultimately turned the game in his side’s favour. His first was an absolute barnstormer, lashing in from distance, while his second showed ruthless finishing as he capitalised on an error from Tariq Lamptey.
Liverpool‘s left-wing position has been held down by Luis Diaz in recent seasons, with Gakpo often struggling to impose himself in a central role. However, he’s among the goals now and will desperate to retain his starting place at the weekend.
Honourable mentions
Vitezslav Jaros – 7/10
Vitezslav Jaros already has more first-team game time than he might have expected this season. Caoimhin Kelleher, himself standing in for the injured Alisson, was given the night off, allowing the Czechia international another chance after coming on as a substitute in the win at Crystal Palace.
He couldn’t propel Evan Ferguson’s shot away from danger before Simon Adingra gave Brighton hope, but Jaros also denied the Ivory Coast winger at full stretch and can count himself unlucky to have conceded twice at full-time.
Luis Diaz – 7/10
It wasn’t the most breathtaking display from Luis Diaz, who started the season in brilliant goalscoring form, powering Liverpool to the top of the Premier League with his consistency in the final third.
However, the Colombian stuck it out in a less familiar right-wing spot and ended up scoring the winning goal just after Brighton had halved the deficit.
His place in the starting XI might still be under threat from Gakpo, but Diaz’s strike is likely to be enough to keep him firmly in Slot’s thoughts ahead of the weekend.
Jarell Quansah – 5/10
Young Jarell Quansah has a big future ahead of him and looks set to make many more appearances for Liverpool, having signed a contract extension in early October.
However, the 21-year-old defender definitely has some learning to do and fast. A sloppy pass was picked off by Ferguson before Adingra netted and did Quansah’s chances of displacing either Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate more permanently no good at all.
Slot has been ruthless with Quansah during his tenure so far and, based on recent evidence, it’s very much required.
