Gakpo improves as Nunez problem clear
So continues the gradual reveal of Cody Gakpo as a Liverpool player.
The Dutchman has thus far been unable to make the instant impact that saw Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez all become instant favourites with the fanbase.
In mitigation, none of those stepped into a team in quite a state of flux as the Reds are experiencing at present. And Gakpo, here making his fifth consecutive start since arriving from PSV Eindhoven at the start of the month, has suffered as a consequence.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool have issue they are 'not close' to fixing after Brighton loss
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There were, though, some clear hints of why Liverpool moved for the 23-year-old, even if he dropped off markedly during the final stages.
Playing once more in a central position, Gakpo’s hold-up play improved and the Dutchman was more than willing to drop deep and help the midfield defensive effort, echoing the contribution of Roberto Firmino, whose initial minor issue has now sidelined him for nine games.
And it was from such positions that Gakpo was able to run at the Brighton defence and cause the greatest danger, sliding Harvey Elliott in with one pass and drawing a booking from Lewis Dunk after an forceful, rangy run.
It is, though, curious he remained down the centre after Darwin Nunez was introduced, particularly as he faded late on. Nunez wasn’t close enough to goal to threaten, with Klopp admitting the Uruguayan is still to properly grasp defensive duties. Perhaps a realignment of the attack is required when Nunez is recalled.
Robertson frustration but Trent suffers
This wasn’t how a proud afternoon was supposed to end for Andy Robertson.
The left-back became the 22nd different captain to lead out Liverpool after being handed the armband in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and the benching of Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
With regards the squad's "leadership group", it indicated the Scotland international is next in line ahead of Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Robertson’s usual forward forays were limited until the second half as he instead concentrated on successfully keeping Solly March, who scored twice against the Reds a fortnight ago, in check. But a decent showing was sullied by the rash challenge on Alexis Mac Allister that invited referee David Coote to award the set-piece from which Brighton scored their late winner.
On the other flank, Alexander-Arnold again had struggles dealing with Kaoru Mitoma, if not quite as damaging as earlier in the month.
The right-back, though, was less than impressed at being hooked before the hour, shaking his head as he traipsed past Klopp and sporting a face of thunder when sat on the bench.
Given James Milner’s decent half-hour stint as substitue, Alexander-Arnold must now realise he is in a genuine scrap for a regular starting place. How he responds will determine what happens next.
Transfer reality hits Reds
Liverpool are now struggling to cling on to even the most vaguely positive statistics of an increasingly tortuous season.
Having won all 12 games this campaign when they had scored the first goal, the Reds slumped to a comeback defeat for the first time since the 3-1 Premier League loss at Leicester City in February 2021.
It leaves Klopp and his players with just one concern this season – the Champions League, both winning it this year and ensuring qualification for the next campaign. Current form suggests achieving either would require a Herculean effort that surpasses the third-placed finish of 2020/21.
And despite the relentless rumours that have been churned out since long before the January window opened, Klopp reiterated moments after the final whistle there would no further arrivals this month. No new midfielder, no nobody.
Liverpool’s travails this term and the myriad reasons for them are well documented. Now the same players and coaching staff are going to have to roll up their sleeves, bash their heads together and come up with a route out of the ongoing malaise. Nobody else is coming to help.
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- Liverpool ratings as Bajcetic impresses and Gakpo promising but too many average
