After an impressive performance against Galatasaray in the Champions League, coach Arne Slot's team declined again when returning to the Premier League, losing 1-2 at Brighton's home ground.
The incomprehensible instability caused Liverpool to lose the advantage in the top 4 Premier League race. This defeat could also seriously affect their goal of winning a Champions League spot.
When the match entered the final minutes, Liverpool even had to use two midfielders in defense, and the most dangerous spearhead was 17-year-old talent Rio Ngumoha. That is the alarming image of a season covered by lack of control and chaos - completely opposite to the disciplinary version that helped them win the championship last season.
Liverpool have lost up to 10 matches in the Premier League this season - the highest number since the 2015-2016 season, when Jurgen Klopp took over the team in the middle of the season. They have also conceded 42 goals, more each season in the last two seasons.
After creating a positive impression in the early stages, Slot is now constantly breaking the negative limits. The big win against Galatasaray only temporarily eases the pressure after the lackluster draw against Tottenham, but confidence at Anfield is still very fragile. The performance against Brighton certainly cannot convince those skeptical about the Dutch strategist's ability.
Fairly speaking, Liverpool did not have good preparation for this away trip. Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker were both injured, while the whole team only had about 60 hours of rest after the European Cup match. The physical difference with Brighton - a team that did not play for a whole week - is easy to see, but cannot become an excuse.
The situation became even more difficult when key striker Hugo Ekitike had to leave the field due to injury after only 8 minutes. A mistake in the combination between goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and center-back Ibrahima Konate then created an opportunity for Danny Welbeck to score the opening goal for the home team.
Milos Kerkez took advantage of Lewis Dunk's mistake to equalize after about half an hour of play. However, Welbeck completed a double in the second half, bringing a deserved victory for Brighton. If it weren't for Mamardashvili's excellent saves, Liverpool could even have suffered a heavier defeat.
The most worrying point for Slot is the lack of sharpness in attack. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo both had chances but could not beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, while Brighton's defense was generally not put in a state of alarm.
The reason Slot often gives - the opponent playing deep defense - is no longer suitable in this match, as Brighton is the team ready to attack. However, Liverpool still has difficulty creating clear chances.
I can give many reasons for the defeat. But my task is not to justify, but to find a solution. In the first half, we played evenly. But in the second half, they were the better team" - Slot shared.
This season, Liverpool often falls into a chasing position. They have missed opportunities many times when the opportunity seemed to be in hand. And perhaps, the most worrying thing is that Slot's team cannot meet expectations. That is the true face of Liverpool at the present time.
