Welbeck's brace for another Liverpool defeat

The season is coming to an end slowly but surely and Liverpool is still showing no signs of stabilizing. The Reds’ last five games in all competition are a win, a defeat, a draw, a win and after today’s game in Brighton – a defeat. In a situation where three teams are fighting for the fourth spot in the league, Liverpool had to win against the Seagulls and the convincing 4-0 win over Galatasaray prior to that was a good prelude. But today, there were bad from start to finish and lost 2-1 completely deserved. The Seagulls scored two goals and in reality had at least two more excellent chances, while the Reds scored one after a mistake by Brighton’s Dunk, and had only two more chances, both which were saved by Verbruggen. Part of the problem was Liverpool’s toothless attack. Salah was out and Ekitike got injured after only five minutes. Alexander Isak is also sidelined while Gakpo is in terrible form and all that was too much for Liverpool. On the other side, Danny Welbeck is still playing like his is in his prime and scored a brace for the win.

The first half didn’t start well for the visitors. Just five minutes into the match, Hugo Ekitike went down with an injury and left the field walking very gingerly and in tears. Les then 10 minutes later, the home team took the lead. Ibrahima Konate first lost possession and then allowed Welbeck to jump higher than him for the opening goal. Brighton was dominant in the first half and even ‘helped’ Liverpool score an equalizer in the 29th minute. Captain Dunk headed a long ball back to Bart Verbruggen but with his back to the keeper and didn’t saw that Kerkez sneaked in from behind. Liverpool’s defender just took the ball and scored. Brighton didn’t give up and head 79% of possession after they conceded, but managed only one good chance. It was 45th minute when Mamardashvili maked a vital intervention to deny Brighton a second goal. Minteh's cross was heading straight for Welbeck in the middle Liverpool keeper managed to keep it away from the former Arsenal striker.

Welbeck scored his second goal of the day in the 56th minute when Minteh took the Liverpool defense out of the game and found Hinshelwood, who side footed it back across goal for Welbeck for a tap-in. VAR took a look, but after the lines were drawn, it was concluded that Brighton striker as online and the Seagulls took the lead again. Liverpool finally had a chance in the 64th minute, but Verbruggen was there to stop an excellent effort by Curtis Jones. Minteh caused a lot of problems to Frimpong and broke from the left in the 68th minute, but his shot from a tight angle was saved again by Mamardashvili. Liverpool had one more chance until the end. it was 86th minute when Gakpo finally created a chance, but once again Brighton keeper was there to stop it.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 31

Friday

Bournemouth - Manchester United 2-2 (0-0)

/Christie 67, Kroupi 81 pen - Bruno 60 pen, Hill 71 og/

Saturday

Brighton - Liverpool 2-1 (1-1)

/Welbeck 14, 56 - Kerkez 30/

18.00: (1.60) Fulham (3.90) Burnley (5.80)

20.30: (3.45) Everton (3.50) Chelsea (2.20)

23.00: (2.45) Leeds (3.35) Brentford (2.90)

Sunday

15.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.85) Sunderland (5.00)

17.15: (2.00) Aston Villa (3.60) West Ham (4.00)

17.15: (2.30) Tottenham (3.40) Nott.Forest (3.10)

***odds are subject to change***