Here are the player ratings for both sides following Liverpool’s 5-1 win at Brighton over the weekend. Following Liverpool’s victory they are anything from 40/1 to 66/1 to win the Premier League. Probably more interestingly, Liverpool at 5/4 with some bookmakers not to finish in this season’s top 4. The win and good performance from the team, as you will see from the ratings below, suggests they are a better bet to finish in the Champions League places (8/15 in many places).
Brighton & Hove Albion
Mathew Ryan – 5
Not an easy afternoon for the Australian – conceded five times and could have been more.
Bruno – 5
Hardly ventured forward to assist Knockaert and spent much of his afternoon worrying about the runs of Robertson.
Shane Duffy – 6
Was fouled by Henderson in the penalty area which resulted in Brighton’s goal from the penalty spot – made to look slow by Liverpool’s attackers.
Lewis Dunk – 5
Struggled against the talent and speed-of-thought of Firmino – headed into his own net – his third own goal of the season – to give Liverpool their fifth goal.
Gaetan Bong – 6
Seemed caught out by Liverpool’s change of shape as he never got to grips with Alexander-Arnold’s intelligent positioning and runs.
Davy Propper – 5
Was out-fought and out-thought by Liverpool’s midfield who dominated for much of the match.
Dale Stephens – 6
Trying to keep Coutinho’s influence to a minimum is never easy but on Saturday it was nigh on impossible.
Isaiah Brown – 6
Exhibited his pace at times on the left-side and the Chelsea loanee produced a good low cross in the first half that should have ended with a goal.
Anthony Knockaert – 6
An average performance from a player who often impresses – when facing teams like Liverpool, attacking players must put in the effort to defend and harry but on this occasion, the Frenchman didn’t.
Pascal Gross – 5
Never really supported Murray in attacking areas nor helped the midfield and defence with preventing Liverpool run riot – not sure what he did all afternoon.
Glenn Murray – 6
Although he scored Brighton’s only goal from the penalty spot he was wasteful with the few chances that came his way during normal play.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 7
Was barely troubled by a flaccid Brighton attack – however, he did have one important save to make against Murray in the second-half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8
Brought in at right wing-back and impressed – an offering of constant quality and energy down the flank matched with defensive aptitude.
Emre Can – 8
Defensive injuries led to Klopp using a new system and consequently Can found himself playing at right centre-back – played with purpose and poise and scored Liverpool’s opener.
Dejan Lovren – 7
Was assured and confident in the new system – made a couple of important interceptions.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
Exemplified his versatility by playing at left centre-back – limited the influence of Knockaert and put off Murray with a last-ditch tackle in front of an open goal.
Andrew Robertson – 7
Many fans got what they wanted with Robertson starting – played intelligently even though he was outshone by Alexander-Arnold on the right.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Didn’t quite look as sharp or as inventive as you’d expect from Liverpool’s captain – fouled Duffy that led to Brighton’s penalty but, as always, he worked his socks off.
James Milner – 7
Provided a typical under-the-radar performance but one that allowed the attackers in front of him to work their magic – an improvement on his performance against Chelsea.
Mohamed Salah – 8
Not quite at his best but still played a key role in both of Firmino’s goal either side of half-time.
Philippe Coutinho – 9
Played with eloquence and ease – provided a lovely first-time assist for Firmino and scored ‘two’ of his own in the latter stages.
Roberto Firmino – 8
Should have done much better with an early headed chance but soon made amends by scoring a brace – his performance was particularly easy-on-the-eye.