A look at some of the lesser spotted moments from Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton on Sunday afternoon
Liverpool’s struggling season continued on Sunday as their defence of the FA Cup came to an end at Brighton.
Kaoru Mitoma’s stoppage-time winner saw the Seagulls win for the second time this month at the Amex against the Reds as Roberto de Zerbi’s men clinched a last-gasp 2-1 victory.
It means Jurgen Klopp’s side have now lost nine games across all competitions ahead of Saturday’s return to Premier League action at Wolves.
But you knew all of that, of course. What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots to the afternoon’s proceedings on the south coast.
He wears the No.20…
There was less than 15 minutes on the clock at the Amex Stadium when the visiting end broke into song for the injured Diogo Jota. The Portugal international was serenaded time and again last season as he scored 21 times for the Reds, but it’s been a terrace anthem largely conspicuous by its absence this term.
Jota hasn’t played since suffering a long-term calf issue in the closing stages of the mid-October win over Manchester City but is at least on the comeback trail and the message for him on the terraces of the Amex was that Liverpool fans cannot wait to see him back in action.
At a time when the Reds are really struggling for fluency without Jota, Luis Diaz or Roberto Firmino, it’s no wonder supporters are harking for the return of their key names up top.
With Jota expected back in the thick of the action in the next few weeks, it will be a song heard with increasing frequency for the rest of the campaign, it is hoped.
Elliott’s on ice
A second successive FA Cup goal for Harvey Elliott was not enough for Liverpool on Sunday but the versatile teenager quietly continued his impressive development.
After putting his side in the lead, however, he found himself in a heap in the Brighton penalty area after Tariq Lamptey’s forceful challenge. Elliott collided with goalkeeper’s Jason Steele back following the tackle, which led to the 19-year-old in need of treatment before returning. There were initial concerns that Elliott might need to be replaced given it was a head injury but he was eventually considered fit enough to continue.
He was later spotted holding an ice pack on the back of his head when he was brought off midway through the second half. Elliott could be seen nursing the bump while he sat among the substitutes in the second period.
It’s unlikely to be a serious problem, though, with Elliott later revealing: “I’m okay. It’s a bit sore but it’s nothing that’s going to stop me, I’ve had worse,” he said. “It’s just a bang on the head so I should be over it in the next couple of days. I just want to keep fighting, keep going out and playing for the team, playing for the badge. I’d never come off unless I had to, to be honest.”
Before Elliott was left to apply the ice to the bruise, though, the youngster left his team-mates in hysterics on the sideline when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi to deny them taking a quick throw-in.
The Italian, who had cut a frustrated figure throughout much of the first half, was unhappy with Elliott’s cheeky move but substitutes Darwin Nunez and Fabinho saw the funny side, laughing uproariously at their colleague’s effort to deny the hosts their quick throw.
Slam Dunk
Brighton defender Lewis Dunk can never be accused of not being wholehearted in his efforts.
The Seagulls centre-back is one of the most rugged centre-backs in the top flight and almost gave Jurgen Klopp a demonstration as to why in the first half when he hurtled towards the ball near the touchline.
Dunk eventually had to stop himself colliding full on with the Reds boss in what could have been a nasty clash. Having applied the brakes at just the right time, the pair were left to quickly embrace, clearly relieved at having avoided an almighty collision.
“He nearly took Jurgen Klopp out there!” chuckled former England captain Terry Butcher on radio commentary.
Salah feels Klopp fury
But no edition of ‘Liverpool’s moments missed’ would be complete without spotting a fume or two on the sidelines from manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds boss was generally more pleased with his players’ performances on the south coast than their previous visit earlier this month when they were soundly beaten 3-0.
That did not see Mohamed Salah avoid a tongue-lashing however when he tried to play a pass to Cody Gakpo just after the half-hour mark. The Egyptian didn’t find his team-mate, which led to an eruption on the sidelines from Klopp who was clearly not happy with the slack nature of the pass.
Klopp made it known, in no uncertain terms, that the pass was simply not good enough and Salah duly took note.
SOURCE: liverpoolecho.co.uk
