The successful partnership that Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez have developed up top for Liverpool was once again on display in Sunday’s draw at Brighton.
With their given goals to Brighton and sharp play in attack that could have produced more than two goals, Jurgen Klopp’s team made for a painful sight to behold on the south coast.
However, according to the manager, the 2-2 tie was “unfortunately” the “right result in the end,” leaving Liverpool to go into the international break with a draw.
The game had its moments, and one of them was the Reds’ No. 9 and No. 11 continuing their effective link-up play. Let’s have a look with the aid of FotMob.
Nunez is just focused on Salah.
Nunez and Salah, who have been teammates for two seasons, continue to display promising traits while lining up in an attack formation that combines chaos and magic.
The Uruguayan earned his third season assist for Liverpool’s opening goal against Brighton thanks to his fast decision to transfer the ball on the edge of the box and into Salah’s path.
Amazingly, it was Nunez’s seventh assist for Liverpool and his seventh that helped Salah score. He is only establishing objectives for one man!
According to Michael Reid of Opta, it is the longest streak of assists by a Red to a single player in the Premier League history.
Nunez now holds the tournament record for the most assists purely for one teammate, with five of those assists occurring in the Premier League.
A dreadful connection that will keep giving the opponent problems!
Trent begins his work.
It was not going to be simple to line up against Kaoru Mitoma in his first Premier League start since suffering his hamstring injury at the beginning of September. Mitoma gave him a tough time the previous year.
The 25-year-old, though, was more than up to the challenge. The fact that his effect became even more noticeable after being replaced in the 80th minute says a lot:
- Tackles won: 3 (100%) – Joint-second most of any Red
- Recoveries: 8 – Second-most of any outfielder
- Ground duels: 3/5 (60%) – Joint-third most of any player
- Passes into final third: 8 – Joint-most of any player
He kept Mitoma quiet and continued to play a significant role in the game. Although his defensive play is frequently criticised, he demonstrated his potential at Brighton.
anything to remove
Games are made in specific moments. Giving up the ball in a danger zone, failing to clear a delivery into the box, or awarding a pointless free kick all add up.
Liverpool is aware of this after doing all of those things to witness Brighton score twice. It was a squandered chance, and the absence of consistent intensity made things more difficult.
The Reds made plenty of mistakes, but in contrast to their abject performances against the Seagulls last year, they at least had a chance to win this game.
Liverpool is the only side this season to defeat Brighton on both criteria, with more possession (54 percent versus 46 percent) and a higher xG (2.35 versus 2.32).
Even though that only earned us one point, they are nevertheless the first installment of Liverpool 2.0 and will serve as a solid basis once the team returns from its October break.