Cody Gakpo makes worrying admission after 'difficult' Liverpool loss at Brighton
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The contrast between those displays is hard to explainCody Gakpo admitted he cannot explain Liverpool's inconsistent performances this seasonCody Gakpo has admitted he cannot explain why Liverpool has lacked consistency this season, following the Reds’ 2-1 defeat at Brighton.A Danny Welbeck brace downed Liverpool at the Amex and consigned the reigning champions to their 10th defeat of the Premier League campaign, the highest number in a decade.It was another abject performance from Arne Slot’s side, with the Liverpool head coach acknowledging after the match that Brighton deserved to take three points. But the disappointing performance is made even more disappointing given it was in stark contrast to Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Galatasaray, when Liverpool was assertive and created a plethora of scoring opportunities.READ MORE: Arne Slot criticizes 'certain pundits' as he defends Liverpool spending recordREAD MORE: Steven Gerrard outlines biggest Liverpool concern after Brighton defeatIt is one of the many problems that have derailed Liverpool’s season, with just four wins coming after 10 midweek European matches this term.Gakpo, who played the full 90 minutes at the Amex, said he is unsure why this has been a recurring issue for Liverpool this term.“That's frustrating.
I think it's happened a few times already this season, so that's not good from our side,” the former PSV Eindhoven star told TNT Sports after the game.It was another frustrating day for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)“If we would know it [the reason why] then we would try to solve it but, like you said, it happened a few times already.“So, we have to keep analysing that and to find maybe the spot that's hurting us in those moments.“Obviously, we wanted to win, which is important in the situation we are in, but it didn't go that way,” Gakpo added. “So, it was a difficult afternoon.”Welbeck revealed after the game that he felt it was a good time to play Liverpool, less than 72 hours on from the team’s midweek Champions League exploits, while Fabian Hurzeler admitted his side knew it needed to play with greater intensity.Danny Welbeck scored both Brighton goals against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)However, Gakpo was not surprised with Brighton’s approach to the game.
“I think they were just being themselves,” he said. They try to play their own game and it worked out well in moments for them.”Despite Liverpool’s defeat on the south coast, it remains in fifth place, which will likely still guarantee a Champions League place, following Chelsea’s defeat a few hours later.The Blues were beaten 3-0 by Everton on their maiden trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.That result means, excluding the Merseyside derby in September, which the Reds won 2-1, Liverpool and Everton have an identical record in the Premier League this season.