Liverpool took on Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield looking to secure a result which would ensure Champions League for the next campaign. The Reds started the match on the front foot and got the lead courtesy of Mohamed Salah’s clever finish from close range. The home team doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Dejan Lovren scored with an emphatic header. Jurgen Klopp’s men went into half-time with a commanding two-goal lead while the Seagulls were left with a mountain to climb after the break.
It was more of the same story in the second half as Liverpool kept curving out chance after chance against a Brighton side who were devoid of ideas. The Merseysiders scored their third goal in the 53rd minute when Dominic Solanke finished with a powerful shot from a tight angle. Andrew Robertson put the icing on the cake in the 85th minute as the Reds ran out 4-0 winners on the day.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the encounter versus the Seagulls.
GK: Loris Karius – 7/10
The German shot-stopper hardly had anything to do in the game but kept a deserved clean sheet in the final home game of the season.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English youngster kept the ball well and put in some good crosses into the opposition box.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
He looked calm and composed in the Liverpool backline. The Dutch centre-back did well to earn a clean sheet for his team.
CB: Dejan Lovren – 8/10
The Croatian defender scored a goal in the first half when he made a late run into the box to finish with a powerful header. He also managed to secure a shut-out which will give him some confidence going into the Champions League final later this month.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 9/10
Another outstanding performance from the Scottish youngster, he delivered an excellent cross for Lovren’s goal in the first half. The left-back also bagged his first Liverpool goal in the 85th minute.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The Reds captain retained the ball well and was a dominant presence at the center of the park.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 7/10
The Dutch midfielder retained the ball well for the home team at the heart of the Reds midfield.
CM: Roberto Firmino – 7.5/10
The Brazilian was a constant goal-threat and made some excellent runs into the opposition box. However, he was unlucky not to score on the day.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 8.5/10
The Egyptian winger scored the opener which ended up helping him win the golden boot award. It was another majestic performance from Salah in what has been a fairy-tale season for him so far.
LM: Sadio Mane – 7.5/10
He squandered some wonderful chances in the first-half but was causing a lot of problems to the Seagulls defence.
ST: Dominic Solanke – 8/10
The English forward worked his socks off and got a deserved goal for his efforts.
Substitutes:
LM: Adam Lallana – 6.5/10
He came off the bench to put on a nice, little cameo for the home team.
ST: Danny Ings – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact in the game.
CM: Ben Woodburn – N/A
The youngster came on to provide some fresh legs in the Reds midfield.
