Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards criticize three Liverpool key players following Brighton draw
Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards singled out Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Alexis Mac Allister for errors that led to Brighton’s opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw on Sunday as covered by Sky Sports (h/t Mirror).
Simon Adingra put Brighton ahead after the Reds lost possession in their own half. A failed Brighton attack ultimately led to Liverpool goalie Alisson Becker moving forward with the ball and passing it to the skipper Virgil van Dijk who then passed the ball to Alexis Mac Allister, who in turn was swarmed by three Brighton players. The 24-year-old Argentine ultimately lost the possession to Adingra.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had moved up into the midfield seeing Alisson come up the ball. So ultimately there was no one to stop Brighton’s onslaught from the lost possession. Reds legend Carragher felt Mac Allister was caught in a poor position to receive Van Dijk’s pass.
“We have talked about Mac Allister having problems defensively, but it’s brilliant from Brighton. It’s a sloppy pass from Virgil Van Dijk and does the goalkeeper react quick enough? Was he expecting that? He takes the shot early, but he should do better, Alisson.”
Former Manchester City star Richards added that Alisson being out of position after moving wide left Liverpool vulnerable. While it is true, it is the style that the Reds have incorporated in the last few years under Klopp. That being said, Mac Allister should have been more aware of his surroundings.
“In this position here, you see Trent going into midfield and Alisson almost creates that back four and they are trying to get the Brighton strikers to come onto them, like Brighton have done with the Liverpool players, but he doesn’t want the ball there. Then, Alisson is out of position because he has made that four in the defence.”
Arsenal legend Theo Walcott who was also on the panel, criticized Van Dijk’s decision-making given Mac Allister was surrounded.
“What I like about this goal is they are all waiting for the trap, they are trying to trap Liverpool. They have all got triggers for certain areas of the pitch. But, as a player, I have been in that position where Mac Allister is and it’s a horrible ball to deal with and I feel as though Van Dijk recognised that he does not want it.”
Liverpool equalized through Mohamed Salah before the end of the first half. In the next half, he converted a penalty for 2-1, after Brighton’s Pascal Gross fouled Dominik Szoboszlai. But Brighton’s Lewis Dunk secured a point with a late volley, leaving the match level at 2-2.
It was a relatively even contest, with both sides creating numerous chances. Ryan Gravenberch incredibly hit the bar for the Reds with the goal gaping before Dunk’s late intervention. The draw kept both teams’ strong starts going. Brighton sits sixth while Liverpool is fourth heading into the international break.
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Van Dijk, Alisson, and Mac Allister received heavy blame for Adingra’s goal that punished sloppy play early on. Their errors allowed Brighton to draw first blood. While credit goes to Brighton’s high press, Liverpool’s leaders were sloppy in dangerous areas. Addressing those issues will be vital with a hectic schedule approaching.
