Liverpool finally have their first Premier League home victory under Andoni Iraola, and there were plenty of positives to take from an impressive 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield.
Two goals in four first-half minutes from a Pascal Groß own goal and Alexander Isak put the Reds in control, but this was about much more than simply getting three points on the board.
Florian Wirtz looked increasingly confident, Bradley Barcola produced a decisive contribution, Isak continued his scoring run and the defence stood firm when Brighton tried to fight their way back into the contest.
But one player stood above the rest.
Ronald Araújo is rapidly becoming a Liverpool fan favourite, and performances like this explain exactly why.
Here are my Liverpool player ratings from the 2-0 win over Brighton.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs Brighton
Alisson – 6/10
A clean sheet is always welcome, but Alisson had a few uncomfortable moments that could have made this a very different afternoon.
One loose pass nearly proved costly when Brighton struck the woodwork, while there was another moment when communication with Virgil van Dijk looked less than convincing.
Thankfully, Liverpool got away with those errors. Alisson will be pleased with the clean sheet, but he wasn’t quite at his best.
Ronald Araújo – 9/10
Man of the Match. No debate from me.
Araújo was absolutely outstanding, producing the sort of all-action display that gets Liverpool supporters off their seats.
He was aggressive in the tackle, powerful when driving forward and desperate to win every single duel. His contribution to the opening goal was crucial, while he also came close to getting on the scoresheet himself.
And then there was that moment when he threw himself into a desperate defensive challenge and somehow managed to get his head to the ball while on the ground!
It was the sort of commitment that supporters love to see.
Araújo wasn’t simply putting in tackles for the sake of it, either. He was helping Liverpool defend their lead, pushing forward when the opportunity arose and setting the tone with his intensity.
He has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in this Liverpool side.
The obvious question now is whether Liverpool can find a way to keep him beyond his loan spell. If he continues performing like this, supporters won’t want to see him leave.
Jeremy Jacquet – 8/10
Jacquet continues to impress, and once again he looked remarkably composed for a defender still establishing himself at Liverpool.
He was comfortable in possession, alert to danger and rarely looked flustered when Brighton tried to put pressure on the back line.
What stands out most is the maturity of his performances. He doesn’t appear rushed or intimidated, and his partnership with Van Dijk is beginning to look increasingly promising.
Liverpool need consistency at centre-back, and Jacquet is giving Iraola plenty of reasons to trust him.
Another excellent afternoon.
Virgil van Dijk – 8/10
This was a much more convincing performance from the Liverpool captain after a difficult evening against Villarreal.
Van Dijk brought authority to the defence, dealt well with Brighton’s aerial threat and made several important interventions when Liverpool came under pressure.
His calmness can sometimes make his work look effortless, but that composure is exactly what Liverpool needed as Brighton tried to find a way back into the game.
With Jacquet performing so well alongside him, Van Dijk looked far more comfortable.
A captain’s performance when Liverpool needed one.
Milos Kerkez – 7/10
One of Kerkez’s more encouraging displays in a Liverpool shirt.
He was energetic going forward and showed greater confidence in attacking areas, while his defensive work was far more disciplined than we have sometimes seen from him.
Brighton posed a difficult test, but Kerkez stayed focused and battled throughout.
There is still more to come from the left-back, but this was a positive step in the right direction.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10
Facing his former club, Mac Allister put in a hard-working performance and showed encouraging signs of returning to his best.
His passing wasn’t always as sharp as it can be, and he missed an opportunity with a first-half header, but his influence in midfield was important.
Liverpool needed energy and discipline as Brighton enjoyed spells of possession, and Mac Allister helped provide both.
He still has another level to reach, but this was a performance to build on.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10
Gravenberch worked hard in midfield and played an important role in helping Liverpool protect their advantage.
There were occasions in the first half when Brighton found space that Liverpool would have wanted to close down more quickly, but Gravenberch improved as the game progressed.
He won his aerial battles and showed discipline alongside Mac Allister when the visitors began to dominate possession.
Liverpool still need to become more consistent at controlling midfield, but Gravenberch did enough to earn his rating.
Bradley Barcola – 8/10
This was a big afternoon for Barcola.
We know the Frenchman’s pace and ability, but Liverpool supporters have been waiting to see more consistent end product in the Premier League.
Against Brighton, we finally saw a glimpse of what he can bring.
His work to win possession and create Isak’s goal was excellent. He used his speed to hurt Brighton and looked increasingly dangerous whenever Liverpool broke forward.
The partnership with Isak was particularly encouraging. Liverpool have spent plenty of time trying to make their attacking pieces fit together, and this was a reminder of what can happen when they combine effectively.
Barcola still has room to improve, but this was a significant step forward.
If he can produce this sort of contribution more regularly, he could become a major player for Iraola.
Florian Wirtz – 8/10
Wirtz continues to look more comfortable in a Liverpool shirt, and there were plenty of encouraging signs in this performance.
His effort led to the opening goal, even though Groß was ultimately credited with the own goal, and his movement and decision-making caused Brighton problems throughout the first half.
The confidence appears to be growing. He looks more willing to take responsibility, find dangerous spaces and make things happen around the penalty area.
He was quieter after the break as Liverpool spent more time defending, before being substituted after picking up a knock.
Hopefully, that proves to be nothing serious, because Liverpool are beginning to see more of the player they expected when he arrived.
Cody Gakpo – 7/10
Gakpo was a constant outlet for Liverpool and gave Brighton plenty to think about with his direct running.
He carried the ball forward well, found opportunities to attack space and forced Bart Verbruggen into action.
However, the final decision didn’t always match the quality of his approach play. On a few occasions, Liverpool had opportunities to turn promising counter-attacks into something more dangerous, only for the move to break down.
There is plenty to like about his performance, but improving that final ball and decision-making would make him even more effective.
Still, Gakpo played his part in a strong attacking display.
Alexander Isak – 7/10
Another game, another goal for Liverpool’s record signing.
Isak didn’t have the cleanest start, with a few heavy touches, but strikers are ultimately judged on what they do in front of goal.
And his finish for Liverpool’s second was exactly what supporters want to see.
Barcola did the hard work to create the opportunity, but Isak still had to execute the finish. He did so with the sort of composure that made him such a threat at Newcastle.
His confidence appears to be growing, and his goals are becoming increasingly important as Liverpool try to build momentum.
The exciting part is that there should still be more to come. If Liverpool can continue creating chances for him, Isak has the quality to be a huge success at Anfield.
Liverpool Substitutes
Trey Nyoni – 7/10
Made an immediate impact with an important goal-saving tackle after coming on. He added energy and defensive cover at a crucial point in the match.
Rio Ngumoha – 6/10
Didn’t have a huge attacking influence during his time on the pitch, but worked hard and showed some neat touches. He will have other opportunities to make his mark.
Lewis Koumas – 6/10
Had limited time to influence the game but helped Liverpool maintain their work rate as the match entered its closing stages.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6/10
Came on late and helped Liverpool see out the result. There wasn’t enough time to make a significant individual impact.
Andoni Iraola – 8/10
This was a significant result for Iraola.
Liverpool needed their first Premier League home win under their new manager, and Brighton provided a serious test. The visitors are a dangerous side, but Liverpool’s intensity and quick transitions in the opening half-hour gave them too much to handle.
The Reds pressed aggressively, attacked with purpose and scored twice in quick succession. For a spell, this was exactly the sort of football Liverpool supporters have been hoping to see.
There are still issues to address. Liverpool lost control for periods after the break and allowed Brighton to find opportunities, so Iraola will know there is more work to do defensively and in midfield.
But there is a difference between recognising areas for improvement and failing to appreciate progress.
Liverpool have now delivered a performance that should give the squad confidence, while the attacking combinations between Wirtz, Barcola and Isak offered genuine encouragement.
Iraola deserves credit for this one.
Final Verdict: Liverpool Have Reasons to Believe
This wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a hugely important one.
Liverpool showed aggression, pace and quality in the first half, then demonstrated enough resilience to protect their advantage when Brighton threatened to make things uncomfortable.
Araújo was the standout performer, Jacquet and Van Dijk looked strong together, and the attacking contributions from Wirtz, Barcola and Isak were particularly encouraging.
The biggest positive is that Liverpool are beginning to look more dangerous going forward while showing signs of becoming harder to beat.
There is still plenty for Iraola to improve, and one win doesn’t suddenly solve every problem. But supporters should be encouraged by what they saw at Anfield.
Now comes another huge test against Arsenal.
If Liverpool can carry this intensity and confidence into that match, they will have a real opportunity to make another statement.
The best may still be yet to come under Iraola. Keep believing in the journey.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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