Graham Potter responds to Neal Maupay's latest penalty miss against Liverpool

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham Potter admits he has a big decision to make on penalty takers after Neal Maupay's latest miss in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
Neal Maupay places his spot kick wide against LiverpoolNeal Maupay places his spot kick wide against Liverpool
Neal Maupay places his spot kick wide against Liverpool

Maupay had a tough afternoon against the Premier League champions as he placed a 20th minute spot kick wide and a minute later was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury.

Albion's leading scorer has now converted just twice in five attempts from the spot and many feel it could be time for a change.

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With strict handball rules and VAR scrutinising every potential claim, a reliable spot-kick man is now more important in the Premier League than ever before.

Last June Kasper Schmeichel stopped his tame effort effort in a 0-0 draw at Leicester and he also had a penalty saved in a friendly against Chelsea.

He netted from the spot in a 3-0 win at Newcastle and confidently dinked home a 'Panenka' in the 3-2 home loss against Man United.

Yesterday however, the Frenchman sent Alisson the wrong way but his side-footed effort fizzed the wrong side of the post.

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Pascal Gross perhaps showed the way forward for Albion when the German confidently dispatched a last gasp penalty to secure a deserved 1-1 draw against Liverpool for Potter's team.

Neal Maupay hobbles off with a hamstring issueNeal Maupay hobbles off with a hamstring issue
Neal Maupay hobbles off with a hamstring issue

"It's a bit soon after the game to make those calls and decisions," said Potter when asked if Maupay will be relieved of his spot-kick duties.

"We will have a bit of a reflection and see what the right thing to do is."

Maupay had played pretty well up until his penalty miss and injury. He operated just behind the front two of Danny Welbeck and Aaron Connolly.

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It was Maupay's incisive through-ball that set-up Aaron Connolly for a one-on-one chance with Alisson which Connolly placed wide.

Pascal Gross keeps cool and fires home from the spot to earn a draw against LiverpoolPascal Gross keeps cool and fires home from the spot to earn a draw against Liverpool
Pascal Gross keeps cool and fires home from the spot to earn a draw against Liverpool

Maupay, who is Albion's top scorer with four goals season, was also forming a nice understanding with new arrival Welbeck but his hamstring injury will make him a doubt for Brighton's next match against Southampton.

Former Saint Adam Lallana is also a concern as he lasted just eight minutes on the pitch against Liverpool after coming on for Connolly on 63 minutes.

Lallana, who was struggling with groin issue prior to the match, rushed back down the tunnel on 71 minutes and was replaced by Ali Jahanbakhsh.

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"He felt a bit of tightness and he had a feeling that he could not carry on running," Potter said of Maupay.

"We are hopeful it is not too bad but we need 24 or 48 hours.

"The same with Adam Lallana as well. Hopefully not too bad but we have to wait and see."

The draw against Liverpool moves Brighton to 10 points from 10 Premier League matches but also shows Brighton are capable of competing against the top sides.

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"It's another performance that we are really pleased with," said Potter.

"We have had many good performances this season with not the points we would have liked.

"But performance wise we have been good and we need to keep on that path. Keep improving and keep showing the spirit we have done today."