Liverpool’s Hard-Fought Easter Victory: Key Takeaways from the 2-1 Triumph over Brighton
Why do anything the easy way when you’re Liverpool eh?!?! For anyone at Anfield that thought they were going to enjoy a peaceful Easter Sunday, it only took a couple of minutes for the reds to confirm different. However, if everyone was being completely honest, the three points without any injuries were the two requirements of the mission which was firmly accomplished. There were some familiar faces shining and being relied upon again, and you need your big players at this time of the season. We look at the lessons learned from a 2-1 victory over Brighton on a sunny afternoon.
Salah Still The Difference Maker
It wasn’t one of his vintage displays by any means, but it’s another match where Mo Salah is the difference between the two teams. In truth, the Egyptian king could have had a hat-trick having missed the target from a good position twice in the first half and shooting straight at the keeper in a breakaway move late in the second. Add in the right-footed effort which required a fingertip save near the end, and he’ll probably think he should have had more than his 22nd goal of the season. However, it was clinical work when he was found in the second half to give Liverpool the victory. He’s not been brilliant recently, but who cares as long as he keeps contributing like this.
Mac Allister Main Midfield Man
He was the man who found Salah with an expert pass for the winner, and there can now surely be no doubt who Liverpool’s key midfielder is. Mac Allister has been in sensational form for some time now and his old teammates found this one was no different. The Argentinian controller created the most chances in the game (six), made five key passes, and six recoveries. He was booked early, and it was clear Brighton were trying to influence the referee in all the wrong ways against him. He may arguably be the most important player in the team right now, and to have twelve goal contributions having played most of the season as a six is unbelievable. £35 million. A robbery.
Ref Negatives and Other Positives
We’re not ones for conspiracy theories particularly, but it felt hard to remember a worse refereeing performance than David Coote served up in this one. John Aldridge labelled his decision-making as laughable and his overall performance shocking, which was one of the better reviews. What he saw to give Virgil a yellow is anyone’s guess. Fortunately, the reds were top of the league, and there were cheers after ninety minutes as opposed to the boos that were directed his way at the half. The result was the one we wanted in the other game too, so all’s well that ends well. No thanks to the PGMOL. Again.
