Liverpool get the runaround off Brighton as Hugo Ekitike exit highlights another shortcoming

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Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash at Brighton on Saturday afternoonIntensity, famously, was Liverpool’s identity during the Jurgen Klopp era. And the arrival of Arne Slot brought refinement and more control that was pivotal in securing the Premier League title last season.This term, though, both qualities have been alarming in their lack of consistent presence, pointing to the underlying issues with which the Reds boss simply hasn’t been able to find an answer.It would have been asking a lot here for Liverpool to match the fervour of midweek against Galatasaray, particularly given so many players were compelled to go again.But that Brighton outran the Reds by around 6km merely followed the trend of Slot’s side having been second best in that metric for 27 out of 31 Premier League games.While having greater possession means more opportunity to move opponents around, the discrepancy in the figures is too great to ignore.

But that has been the case far too often in the Premier League this season.Ekitike exit highlights flawAlmost three years after his departure, James Milner continues to have an impact on Liverpool’s season. His latest, though, was most unwelcome.The game here was still in the formative stages when Hugo Ekitike collided with the former Reds midfielder and ultimately had to depart after an aborted attempt to continue.Having been integral to Liverpool’s formation shift that led to a thrilling display against Galatasaray less than three days earlier, eight minutes into the game the duo of Ekitike and the already-injured Mohamed Salah had been replaced by Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz.With Alexander Isak also still out, it left Liverpool without their main goal threats and it showed, Gakpo game but limited while Wirtz did his better work when deeper, such as creating a good chance for Curtis Jones second half.But as has been the case for far too much of this domestic campaign, there was a lack of conviction in the attacking third, whether shooting or playing the final pass.Indeed, Liverpool’s only goal came from a rare blunder from the opposition, Lewis Dunk not looking before attempting to head a long ball back to his goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and allowing the alert Milos Kerkez to nip in and lob home.Typical of the campaign, though, Liverpool took one look at the gift and handed it straight back.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!

All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageAlisson alarm soundedThe portents were ominous for Liverpool before they even travelled down to the South Coast.With Mohamed Salah already absent, that Alisson Becker also pulled up lame gave another chance for Giorgi Mamardashvili between the sticks.Indeed, it was the fourth separate occasion this campaign the Georgian has had to come in for the Brazilian, the third time due to the number one’s suspect hamstrings.While the international break comes at a good time regards Alisson’s absence, there’s no guarantee he will be back for the cup quarter-finals against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.This, then, was another example of where Mamardashvili can impress and still improve. He caused unnecessary consternation with some of his kicking although, in mitigation, he wasn’t helped by receiving too many passes on his wrong foot.If Mamardashvili’s poor distribution was partially responsible for Brighton’s opener, Ibrahima Konate should still have done better with his attempt to control the goalkeeper’s pass that went out of play.But when it comes to the bread and butter, Mamardashvili again proved himself a capable shot-stopper with a string of second-half saves.