Brighton 2 – 3 Liverpool – EFL Cup 4th Round Man of the Match

Cody Gakpo – Liverpool FC

This Wednesday evenings encounter at the American Express Stadium saw both ambitious head coaches of the contest, Arne Slot, and Fabian Hürzeler, make no less than eight changes to their respective starting eleven’s. Ultimately, the League Cup is the third ranking domestic contest for the teams specifically drafted from the English top tier, thereby falling behind the all-important Premier League schedule, as well as the nation’s other knock out tournament, the fabled FA Cup. The EFL Cup is a tournament designed to showcase the fringe assets of clubs that are overworked by their individual fixture lists, with so few opportunities to rest tired assets. Such cup ties (such as this one on the south coast) allow key operators to rest in-between more crucial games, however, I tend to see it as an opportunity for outside entities and the stars of tomorrow to shine bright on a Wednesday night.

In a game that was often open and exciting, it was not until the second half where the goals started to flow. After a season and a half on Merseyside, finally we are seeing the best of Cody Gakpo, who thrived under the Brighton lights within this EFL 4th round Cup tie. Just seconds after the restart for the second half, the former PSV forward was decisive and scored a wonderful strike from the angle, one which found its way up and over the keeper towards the far post. After a breakaway that was led by the in-form Dutchman, his decision to square the ball to his advancing teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai, backfired spectacularly, as the Hungarian skipper failed to end the game in that moment. It would be just moments later that the eventual man of the match would latch onto a loosely defended ball and thrust himself forward into the opposition penalty box. Clearly the failed assist attempt moments later (for Dom) was recognized within his attacking mindset and despite having options to feed inside him, the confidence filled goal scorer thundered and low shot just inside the near post, one that the Brighton keeper, Jason Steele, had little chance of stopping.

The man of the match was chosen due to two brilliant strikes, however, the superb performance of the reds third choice keeper, Vítězslav Jaroš, cannot go unrecognized by anyone who saw this match. The ability and assurance of the 23-year-old Czech international stopper was evident throughout and despite conceding two later goals, neither could be seen as his fault. One save in particular was breathtaking, as a leaping one-handed stop saw the goal bound effort on to the post and away.

As for the man of the match, Cody Gakpo, that is now four gaols in two games for this seasons EFL Cup.

The next round now awaits.

Pre-match Prediction; Brighton 2 – 3 Liverpool

Steven Smith