Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton: 'stunning' 8/10, 'ruthless' 9/10 but 'forgettable' 5/10 in cup victory

Liverpool’s defence of the Carabao Cup continued as they earned a 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.

All five goals were scored in the second half of an enthralling tie, with Cody Gakpo firing a double and a strike from Luis Diaz moving the Reds into the quarter-finals of the competition. Arne Slot made wholesale changes to his team and will take some positives from the triumph, as well as identifying areas of improvement - with Liverpool facing the Seagull at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

Brighton mustered the first chance in the 13th minute when Tariq Lamptey burst through on goal but he was denied by Liverpool’s full debutant Viteszlav Jaros in goal. The Reds swiftly launched an attack of their own and Gakpo flashed just wide.

The visitors then created their best chance on 33 minutes when Andy Robertson pulled a ball back from the byline but Dominik Szoboszlai saw his shot saved before Diaz headed the rebound wide. Six minutes before half-time, Robertson went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock but he was denied by the outstretched boot of Brighton keeper Jason Steele.

The game burst into life in the second half, though, with Liverpool opening the scoring less than a minute into the restart when Gakpo cut inside from the left flank and lashed an effort into the far corner.

However, the Reds were put under substantial pressure and were indebted to Jaros when he made a stunning fingertip save to thwart Simon Adingra’s header on 49 minutes before Evan Ferguson fired over for Brighton the following minute.

Liverpool almost rued a gilt-edged chance when they profited from a Seagulls mistake and had a three-on-one scenario - but Szoboszlai couldn’t finish. However, the Reds atoned for their error when Gakpo fired home into the near corner to double his and Slot’s side’s tally. Brighton got back into the game when Jarell Quansah’s mistake was punished by Adingra. But Diaz restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage as he showed tenacity to cut inside and finish at the near post.

And while Lamptey’s deflected shot off Quansah found its way beyond the helpless Jaros, the Reds managed to soak up the late pressure and put themselves into the hat for the quarter-finals. Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.

Vitezslav Jaros - 8

Showed nice feet inside two minutes and then made a big stop from Lamptey. Then made an absolutely stunning stop from Adringra to keep Liverpool ahead. May be disappointed he didn’t do better with the initial shot that led to Adringra’s effort but kept Liverpool in the game.

Conor Bradley -  6

Stood up an early cross but mainly had to stick to defensive duties. Got forward more frequently in the second period but got away with one naive foul in a dangerous area. Had some difficult moments after Brighton dangerman Kaoru Mitoma came off the bench but minutes under his belt after injury.

Jarell Quansah - 5

Fairly comfortable in the first half. Had to do his share of defending after the break and heavy touch gifted Brighton possession for their goal - and meant he was culpable. Made a big block on Mitoma in the closing stages, but deflection from Lamptey’s shot set up a nervy finish. Subbed in stoppage-time after somewhat of a forgettable evening.

Joe Gomez - 6

Barely had anything to do in the first half although may be disappointed that Lamptey got away from him. Displayed experience in the second half.

Andy Robertson - 6

Provided an outlet down the flank when he could in the first half, pulling a ball back from the byline that should have been buried before just being denied with a chance of his own. Struggled at times defensively in the second half against Lamptey’s pace but did make one important clearance at the back post.

Wataru Endo - 6

Plugged away in the first half and started the move for Szoboszlai’s big chance. Booked early into the second half Subbed in the 64th minute.

Tyler Morton - 7

Showed bravery on the ball in the first half and battled away. Played a delightful ball over the top to assist Gakpo’s opener and nipped to win possession a few times. Subbed in the 64th minute.

Curtis Jones - 6

Gave away a couple of fouls in dangerous areas but was economical in possession playing in a difficult role and showed thrust at times.

Luis Diaz - 7

Not as impactful on the right flank in the first half and perhaps should have hit the target with his chance. Better in the second half without having any real chances before snaffling the one that fell his way to seal the triumph.

Dominik Szoboszlai -  6

Should have opened the scoring with his chance but did provide some thrust when dropping deep to get the ball. Couldn’t take his one-on-one chance although the pass wasn’t the best for him. Put in a shift as ever, though, and subbed in the 71st minute.

Cody Gakpo - 9

Liverpool’s best player in the first half as he tried to put Brighton on the back foot and wasn’t far away from netting. Then produced a remarkable finish to break the deadlock less than a minute into the second half. Probably should have done better when the Reds broke away but atoned that error with a deadly finish. Subbed in the 71st minute. Ruthless.

Sub 1 - Trey Nyoni (replaced Morton) - 7

A lively effort from the 17-year-old and almost bagged during his cameo.

Sub 2 - Alexis Mac Allister (replaced Endo) -  6

Kept the ball when required.

Sub 3 - Mo Salah (replaced Gakpo) - 6

Didn’t really get into the game.

Sub 4 - Darwin Nunez (replaced Szoboszlai) - 6

Ditto.

Sub 5 - Ibrahima Konate (replaced Quansah) - N/A