"We have still space for improvement" seemed a statement of the obvious from Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool were eliminated from the FA Cup on Sunday. The manner of the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion may be one Klopp can just about stomach – a last-minute winner, but a much-improved performance compared to Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at the Amex Stadium on January 14 – but it still constitutes further proof of a team in decline.
Sunday's FA Cup exit follows their surrender of the League Cup – another trophy they won in 2021/22 – in the last 16. The Reds are ninth in the Premier League at the halfway stage with no chance of challenging for the title and even struggling to finish in the top four to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.
Holders Real Madrid are the visitors to Anfield for the Champions League second round next month, raising the real possibility that, a season after they nearly won everything, Liverpool could end this one with nothing.
And while some natives are restless and even calling for Klopp's removal, it would be a huge shock if the German was not given the opportunity to turn things around.
By any metric Liverpool's season has been poor but especially when compared to the previous one when Klopp's side went agonisingly close to winning four trophies. And yet it's clear that the energy exerted in chasing an unprecedented quadruple has taken a huge toll on the squad this season.
Liverpool are the Premier League's fifth highest scorers and rank second for number of shots with 314 yet are first for big chances missed (44). They are ranked second for number of times dispossessed (220) and 19th for number of tackles. Depending on how you interpret, the stats could suggest a lethargy in possession and when trying to retrieve the ball, and also a lack of composure and clarity of thought in front of goal.
Injuries have been a factor. The loss of Luis Diaz has been crushing and Diogo Jota's unavailability leaves Klopp shorn of versatility across the front three. Sadio Mane's departure to Bayern Munich seemed bad business at the time and even more questionable seven months on.
Brighton v Liverpool ratings
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BRIGHTON RATINGS: Jason Steele 7: Solid display from Brighton’s second choice keeper who made some good saves to secure his side’s place in the quarter-finals. Reuters -
Tariq Lamptey 7: Worked brilliantly with March when attacking down right side, and held his own well defensively. Getty -
Adam Webster 5: Looked like he had not fully recovered from thigh strain that had ruled him out previously, and was taken off at half time. AFP -
Lewis Dunk 8: On scoresheet after Lamptey’s long-range effort ricocheted off him to make things all square. Defensively sound and distributed well. Reuters -
Pervis Estupinan 7: An athletic performance down left, comfortable playing it out from the back, and linked well with Mitoma. PA -
Pascal Gross 6: Was frozen out of the game to begin with but much more involved in the second half. His late runs into the opposition box caused Liverpol problems. Getty -
Alexis Mac Allister 8: A composed display from Argentinian in middle of park, kept things ticking for his side whilst coping well with Liverpool’s press. AFP -
Solly March 8: Produced several enticing deliveries into the box and caused constant problems in one-on-one situations down the right wing. An impressive display. AP -
Kaoru Mitoma 9: His usual dribbling trickery on the left caused constant problems. The hard work was rewarded with some outstanding control in the box to bury the late match winner into the roof of the net. AP -
Danny Welbeck 7: Had fewer opportunities on goal than usual playing in a deeper role. Nonetheless, still caused the occasional problem for Liverpool. AP -
Evan Ferguson 7: Used his physicality well with some intelligent hold-up play in attack. Almost opened the scoring early on but his close-range effort was blocked. Forced off injured after Fabinho's terrible tackle PA -
SUBS: Joel Veltman (On for Webster 46') 7: Shored things up at the back after coming on and settled into the game quickly. Billy Gilmour (On for Welbeck 67') 6: Added some energy into Brighton’s midfield. Deniz Undav (On for Ferguson 89') N/A. Jan Paul van Hecke (On for Lamptey 90+6') N/A. Reuters -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 6: Assured game from Brazilian, who couldn’t do anything about Brighton’s fortuitous opener. Produced strong stop against Solly March in second half to keep the score level, but couldn’t prevent Mitoma’s brilliant winner. PA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 6: Cleared a ball off the line to deny Ferguson and made a difference with his passing going forward. A tough test against Mitoma saw him enjoy less success in the duel than he did last time around. Looked far from happy at being substituted. AFP -
Ibrahima Konate 8: Aggressive in the challenge and was equally as impressive when drawn out-wide to provide cover. Produced stellar block to deny Ferguson in the 80th minute. Another excellent display from big defender. Getty -
Joe Gomez 7: Pace made a difference for Liverpool, with the 25-year-old quick to react to danger when balls were played in behind. Looked to have a strong understanding with Konate, but was skinned by Mitoma for winning goal. AFP -
Andrew Robertson 5: Made crucial error when his poor tackle late-on presented free-kick to Brighton which would lead to winner. PA -
Thiago Alcantara 5: Less influential than usual with passes going astray that the 31-year-old would normally get right. Well positioned during defensive transitions to help his team mates challenge the ball. Reuters -
Stefan Bajcetic 6: Calm under pressure and often made the right decision, especially with his defensive contributions. Could have been better with some of decision-making when it came to distributing the ball. AP -
Naby Keita 5: Pressed well in moments but too often gave away possession carelessly through a pass or a bad touch. Replaced just before the hour mark. AFP -
Harvey Elliott 7: Created one of Liverpool’s best chances of the first half when playing through Salah, before finishing exquisitely to open the scoring himself. Worked hard despite playing in a position he is less comfortable in. Getty -
Cody Gakpo 7: Looked bright in moments and showed confidence to run at players, with some of his best play coming when he dropped deeper from centre-forward to pick up the ball. A step in the right direction for the Netherlands international. Reuters -
Mohamed Salah 7: Enjoying success down the right-flank and unlucky not to score early on. Produced precisely weighted pass for Elliott’s goal. Missed chance in first-half when through on goal that that you would expect Egyptian to score. Getty -
SUBS: Darwin Nunez (On for Elliott 59') 5: Pressed well from the front and looked to create when cutting in on his stronger right foot. AFP -
James Milner (On for Alexander-Arnold 59') 5: Provided support down right-flank for Salah. Stuck to task in difficult match-up against Mitoma. Reuters -
Jordan Henderson (On for Keita 59') 5: Liverpool captain was loose with his passing at times, though he did help set the tone for an aggressive Liverpool midfield display in final part of game. Getty -
Curtis Jones (On for Thiago 79') N/A. AP -
Fabinho (On for Bajketic 84') N/A. Should have been sent-off for dreadful challenge on Ferguson. AFP
Two signings – Darwin Nunez last summer and Cody Gakpo in January – for fees that could eventually cost Liverpool upwards of £120 million have either flattered to deceive or been deployed in positions not best suited to their attributes. Both are 23, and need to be afforded time to settle into a new country and league, especially when the rest of the team is struggling to fire on all cylinders.
But Nunez, in particular, looks in need of a clearly defined role within the team, especially when Gakpo has been preferred as the spear of the attack even when the Uruguayan is introduced off the bench. Gakpo caught the eye at the Qatar World Cup operating in a free role between midfield and attack that saw him score in each of the Netherlands' three group games but accommodating the former PSV player in that role would require a change of formation by Klopp.
A drop off in performance levels by mainstays Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk was, perhaps, to be expected, especially since the latter three were involved at the World Cup for Brazil, England and Netherlands respectively. Yet none of those concerns were adequately addressed in either the summer of winter transfer windows.
"We make steps but we have to improve, we have to improve further and that's what we will do," Klopp said after the defeat at Brighton. With Wolves next up in the Premier League on Saturday, Liverpool need to rediscover the winning formula fast to try and salvage a season that was always going to be impossible to live up to the previous one.
