Liverpool analysis: Shambolic title defence continues
From the very outset, Liverpool looked all over the place on the south coast. Arne Slot has not been helped by injuries, with neither Alisson nor Mohamed Salah making the trip down but - despite the short turnaround from Wednesday - the Liverpool boss made just the two enforced changes. Perhaps the Dutchman made this call with the knowledge that an international break is coming up but, of their 10 Premier League games following a Champions League match this season, Liverpool have won four and lost five.
[Getty Images] From the very outset, Liverpool looked all over the place on the south coast. Arne Slot has not been helped by injuries, with neither Alisson nor Mohamed Salah making the trip down but - despite the short turnaround from Wednesday - the Liverpool boss made just the two enforced changes. Perhaps the Dutchman made this call with the knowledge that an international break is coming up but, of their 10 Premier League games following a Champions League match this season, Liverpool have won four and lost five.
Slot should know by now that his side struggle after those midweek games and coming away to Brighton is never an easy task. Losing Hugo Ekitike early on to injury did not help either, though Slot said after that he had a dead leg and could play "tomorrow if he wanted to". Defensively, they were cut open easily and have now conceded 42 Premier League goals this season, more than in each of their past two campaigns.
The last time Liverpool came here, it was party time after winning the Premier League title. That title defence has been nothing short of shambolic.