Media review: Liverpool

No-one who has been following the media’s incessant linking of Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi with the Liverpool job, with Jurgen Klopp leaving this summer, will be surprised to learn that many reports of the 2-1 defeat at Anfield suggested that it was some sort of an audition for the Reds’ hot seat.  Never mind that Roberto had said before the game, and repeated after it, that he is focused exclusively on his present club.

For a flavour of the sort of thing that appeared in many papers, here is Will Unwin in The Guardian: “In a tight title race, being faultless in their final five home games looks like being a prerequisite if Liverpool are to lift the Premier League Trophy trophy in May. Few will give them a tougher time than Brighton as Roberto De Zerbi did his utmost to show he has the tactical nous to be Jürgen Klopp’s successor."

Of course, it is just possible he was simply trying to win us the game. But Unwin continued: “When auditioning for a part it is always the aim to make a good early impression. De Zerbi’s side certainly did that in the second minute when Brighton turned defence into attack as Simon Adingra raced up the left wing, forcing Jarell Quansah to backtrack until the Brighton man reached the box. His cross, after being deflected by a defender, belatedly found its way to the former Manchester United striker Welbeck, who hit the ball with such power and accuracy that he may receive a late Olympics call-up for the Team GB archery squad.

“It was a valiant defeat for Brighton and De Zerbi’s side showed through hard work, organisation and ability to counter that he is doing something right on the south coast.”

To be fair, any sports editor would have demanded an instant rewrite from a reporter who failed to reference the De Zerbi-Liverpool links. Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph was in no danger, writing that “[Alexis Mac Allister] was not the only one who had to be near his best to overcome a Brighton side which – despite being injury stricken – reinforced why De Zerbi is expected to be listening to offers this summer.

“It remains to be seen if one of them will be from Liverpool. Klopp will surely offer intelligence to FSG football supremo Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes about the scale of the challenge beating Brighton.

“This was Klopp’s first win against De Zerbi, the impressive recovery beginning with Luis Diaz’s 28th minute equaliser after a couple of ricochets fell kindly. Once ahead, Liverpool had to resist a late surge, Caoimhin Kelleher forced into a late save from Lewis Dunk’s header and Adam Lallana narrowly missing the target in the closing moments.”

We will spare you the rest of the attempts by the Merseyside media to anoint our head coach as Klopp’s successor and move on to praise for an Albion winger from Andy Dunn of The Mirror.

He wrote that “Trent Alexander-Arnold only has one more full season under contract and there is a school of thought on Merseyside that considers a possible sale of the England man to be no bad thing in the context of Conor Bradley’s emergence at right-back.

“That school might be having a rethink after Simon Adingra gave the Liverpool defender a thorough examination here. Make no mistake, in the Ivorian attacker, who tired late on, Brighton have another valuable gem on their hands.

“Brighton’s early strike was all about Danny Welbeck’s underrated finishing prowess - showcased by this crisp right-footed strike from 18 yards - but Adingra had caused the initial defensive consternation. To say he kept Bradley honest would be an understatement.”

Ken Lawrence of The Sun also enjoyed our AFCON winner’s performance. “The [Liverpool] right flank is a place for plunder as Simon Adingra proved once again,” he wrote. “Connor Bradley, 20, deputising in the long-term injury absence of Alexander-Arnold, found himself stranded upfield as the winger motored into space.

“His low cross could have been swept away by Dominik Szoboszlai but the £60m Hungarian shanked only towards Virgil van Dijk and his attempted clearance spun into Welbeck’s path. Sixteen yards out and on his 100th Premier League appearance for the Seagulls, he reacted in some style, powering his right footer beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.

“Klopp, having gone into the game talking up De Zerbi as a ‘top coach’ stood bemused on the touchline. The goal was a complete mess from Liverpool’s point of view and things didn’t get better for quite a while.

“Young Bradley, always encouraged to get forwards as Alexander-Arnold has been, was AWOL again as Adingra looked headed off down the wing again. That 14th-minute attack was ended by Alexis Mac Allister’s shove and a yellow card that followed.”

On the BBC website, Jonathan Jurejko was one of a very few writers to treat the Albion performance on its own merits.

“Brighton have been something of a bogey team for Liverpool, coming into this meeting having lost just once to the Reds in their seven previous matches.

“De Zerbi has won many admirers for his style and tactical nous, drawing praise from Klopp before the game and having never previously been beaten by the German. Welbeck's early opener - an instinctive first-time shot into the top corner in front of the Kop - suggested it could be another successful day for the Seagulls.

“Brighton defended deeply and compactly as they tried to preserve their lead, using the pace of Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra on the left to threaten on the counter.

“There were half-chances for the visitors to double their lead, with Adingra, Welbeck and Jakub Moder all going close before the break. Even when they fell behind Brighton refused to roll over and De Zerbi's attacking changes nearly resulted in Lallana returning to haunt his former club.

“But they could not nick a point and the defeat means the Seagulls remain in ninth place. If De Zerbi can ensure Brighton qualify again for European football it will be another superb achievement, with his squad having been badly hit by injuries this campaign.”

Finally, praise from Pete Hall in the i for a well-regarded old boy that Albion turned from a raw prospect into a World Cup winner. “Against his former club, one it was heart-wrenching for him to leave last summer, [Mac Allister] helped inspire yet another comeback success. Some of his pickouts from deep were simply extraordinary, even when Liverpool were under the cosh against a side who are no strangers to an impressive show in these parts.”