Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 as Isak and Wirtz impress in player ratings
Alexander Isak scored his sixth Premier League goal in as many games as Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield, with Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz earning the highest ratings.
Liverpool secured a 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton at Anfield, taking the lead through a Pascal Gross own-goal before Alexander Isak added a second four minutes later. The result kept a clean sheet for the home side, though the match was not without anxious moments for the Liverpool defence.
Florian Wirtz was central to Liverpool's attacking play and earned an 8 rating, with his strike deflecting in off Gross for the opener. Bradley Barcola also received an 8 after setting up Isak and troubling Olivier Boscagli throughout, while Isak's simple finish gave him his sixth Premier League goal in as many games. Alisson, Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo were each rated 7, with Milos Kerkez on 6.
Brighton's evening was disrupted early when Ferdi Kadioglu was forced off in the sixth minute holding his hip, with Joao Costinha replacing him. Boscagli struggled against Barcola and was booked before being withdrawn at half-time, earning a 4, the lowest rating in the piece. Diego Gomez was Brighton's best performer on 7 for his link-up play and through-ball that set up Yasin Ayari's chance.
Ayari missed a significant opportunity when the game was goalless and later hit the post, while Alisson was nearly punished for a careless pass out from the back. Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross were each rated 5, and Luka Vuskovic and Chema Andres received 6. The ratings reflect a Liverpool side that was ruthless when it mattered and a Brighton team that was punished for failing to take its chances.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
