How the Seagulls rated in their 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield

Brighton failed to score in the Premier League for the first time this season as Liverpool’s expensively-assembled front four finally clicked into gear to seal a 2-0 win.

The trio of £100million-plus signings Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz – and Cody Gakpo – found a connection to break Brighton down.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side may be the top flight’s leading scorers but they also know how to keep the back door tightly shut and these were the first goals conceded in all competitions in over nine hours.

Wirtz was denied the credit for the 17th-minute opener due to the deflection off Pascal Gross but there was no doubting Isak’s sixth goal in seven league appearances four minutes later from a Barcola cross.

Strong contributions from the France international and Gakpo on the flanks ensured Brighton were never entirely comfortable in a first half in which they started the brighter.

Brighton player ratings

Bart Verbruggen - Couldn't do anything about either goal, the first taking a big deflection off Pascal Groß and the second a tap-in for Alexander Isak. Made a few good saves to keep Albion in it, one against Cody Gakpo in a 1v1 and another against Ronald Araujo. Showed good distribution. 6/10

Ferdi Kadioglu - Went down injured early (5 minutes) after a couple of strong tackles and had to come off. N/A

Joao Costinha - Had a tough afternoon up against Cody Gakpo, who got the better of him a fair few times. Booked. 5/10

Luka Vuskovic - Couldn't stop Alexander Isak from tapping in from close range. Made a good block to deny Cody Gakpo from making it 3-0. Nearly scored an own goal late on with a loose back pass to Bart Verbruggen. 6/10

Lewis Dunk - Made several important interceptions and blocks to kept the scoreline down. Bounced off Araujo for Liverpool to let him through for the assist for Liverpool's first. 7/10

Olivier Boscagli - Hooked at half-time after a torrid 45 minutes up against Bradley Barcola. Made a huge error which led to Liverpool's second, failing to clear his lines and allowing Barcola to pounce on his mistake. Booked for bringing down Barcola as he broke on the counter again. 5/10

Pascal Gross - Should have had an assist to his name after breaking through and teeing up Yasin Ayari, but the Swedish international skied his effort from 10 yards out. A huge moment which should have seen Albion go 1-0 up. Just minutes later, he was on the scoresheet, but for putting the ball into his own net. Not much he could do. Not as influential as he has been so far this season. One of those days. 6/10

Chema Andrés - Tried to get things going and was neat and tidy in possession. A clever player, with some good play coming through him when he was on the ball. Injured himself after a strong battle with Ryan Gravenberch. It looked like a hip injury, and he was replaced by Malick Yalcouye on 55. 6/10

Maxim De Cuyper - Unable to stop a marauding Ronald Araujo for Liverpool's second. Cut a frustrated figure just before half-time. Nearly scored after a late run into the box in the second half, sitting down two defenders, but saw his effort blocked. 6/10

Diego Gomez - Up against Milos Kerkez and won a lot of his duels. Looked like Brighton's game plan was to target this side. Gave Kerkez problems at times, but not consistently enough. Shoulder-barged Virgil van Dijk off the ball late on. Fought well and played well in moments, but just lacked that finish. 6/10

Yasin Ayari - Should have scored after Pascal Groß put it on a plate for him from 10 yards out early on, but he blazed his effort over the bar. Not long after he hit the post from just outside the area with a good curling effort after pouncing on an Alisson blunder. Could have had two on another day, and maybe Brighton would have left with something if he had finished his chances. Subbed off in the 75th minute for Georginio Rutter. 6/10

Charalampos Kostoulas - Ran the channels well as a lone striker. Linked up well and was neat and tidy in tight spaces. Went close to scoring, but Jeremy Jacquet's face blocked his effort from just a few yards out. Did really well despite being consistently outnumbered, either keeping the ball or winning a free-kick. Played a great dummy to create a goalscoring chance for Maxim De Cuyper. Gave Virgil van Dijk the runaround, too. Positive performance. 7/10

Substitutes

Jack Hinshelwood - Came on at half-time for Olivier Boscagli. Got stuck in but couldn't make the positive impact Fabian Hurzeler would have wanted. 6/10

Malick Yalcouye - Came on for the injured Chema Andrés in central midfield. Tried to make things happen and provided an option down the left. A willing runner, but like Diego Gomez, he got into some good positions without producing the final ball, or Liverpool defended well. 6/10

Georginio Rutter - Came on and tried to make things happen. Picked up the ball in some threatening positions but couldn't break the deadlock. Tracked back well and tried to make a difference. 6/10