• LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7. The Irishman made good saves from Gross and Trossard late on after spending much of the match with nothing to do. He showed good instincts coming off his line when the back four were caught flat-footed. AP
    LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Caoimhin Kelleher – 7. The Irishman made good saves from Gross and Trossard late on after spending much of the match with nothing to do. He showed good instincts coming off his line when the back four were caught flat-footed. AP
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4. Brighton made a concerted effort to put pressure on the full-back It paid off because the 22-year-old lost Burn on the back post before the goal and was not as effective as usual going forward. AFP
    Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4. Brighton made a concerted effort to put pressure on the full-back It paid off because the 22-year-old lost Burn on the back post before the goal and was not as effective as usual going forward. AFP
  • Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The 23-year-old looks more like a first-team player with every game. He was good in the air and can feel better about his performance than the majority of his teammates. EPA
    Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The 23-year-old looks more like a first-team player with every game. He was good in the air and can feel better about his performance than the majority of his teammates. EPA
  • Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain fills a gap in the centre of defence but leaves a bigger hole in midfield. His passing from the back was excellent but the team needs him to be pushed forward to a more natural position. EPA
    Jordan Henderson - 7. The captain fills a gap in the centre of defence but leaves a bigger hole in midfield. His passing from the back was excellent but the team needs him to be pushed forward to a more natural position. EPA
  • Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot is nowhere near as dangerous going forward when Mane is not in the side. Brighton deployed March to keep the left-back occupied defensively and the tactic worked . AFP
    Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot is nowhere near as dangerous going forward when Mane is not in the side. Brighton deployed March to keep the left-back occupied defensively and the tactic worked . AFP
  • Georginio Wijnaldum - 4. The Dutchman was lacking his usual vigour. He tried to drive forward but found it hard to generate much momentum. Withdrawn for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 64th minute after looking heavy-legged. AFP
    Georginio Wijnaldum - 4. The Dutchman was lacking his usual vigour. He tried to drive forward but found it hard to generate much momentum. Withdrawn for Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 64th minute after looking heavy-legged. AFP
  • Thiago Alcantara - 4. Another outing that failed to live up to expectations for the 29-year-old. His passing lacked adventure and he could not deal with the Brighton press. PA
    Thiago Alcantara - 4. Another outing that failed to live up to expectations for the 29-year-old. His passing lacked adventure and he could not deal with the Brighton press. PA
  • James Milner - 4. A laboured display from the 35-year-old. He could never be criticised for a lack of commitment but workmanlike efforts like this are not enough against solid defensive sides when inspiration is required. PA
    James Milner - 4. A laboured display from the 35-year-old. He could never be criticised for a lack of commitment but workmanlike efforts like this are not enough against solid defensive sides when inspiration is required. PA
  • Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian missed chances in both halves but still looked the sharpest Liverpool attacker. Brighton were able to crowd him out on a disappointing outing. Getty Images
    Mohamed Salah - 6. The Egyptian missed chances in both halves but still looked the sharpest Liverpool attacker. Brighton were able to crowd him out on a disappointing outing. Getty Images
  • Roberto Firmino - 5. The Brazilian had to drop deep in search of the ball. He showed sparks of invention in the box in the second half. Replaced by Jones with 11 minutes to go after shooting wide with his last kick. AP
    Roberto Firmino - 5. The Brazilian had to drop deep in search of the ball. He showed sparks of invention in the box in the second half. Replaced by Jones with 11 minutes to go after shooting wide with his last kick. AP
  • Xherdan Shaqiri - 3. The Swiss struggled to get involved wide on the left. He switched to the right in the second half but was no better. Replaced by Origi after 64 minutes. AP
    Xherdan Shaqiri - 3. The Swiss struggled to get involved wide on the left. He switched to the right in the second half but was no better. Replaced by Origi after 64 minutes. AP
  • SUBS: Divock Origi - 3. The Belgian joined the game with 26 minutes to go, replacing Shaqiri. He was unable to shake the Brighton defence out of their comfort zone. Poor. Reuters
    SUBS: Divock Origi - 3. The Belgian joined the game with 26 minutes to go, replacing Shaqiri. He was unable to shake the Brighton defence out of their comfort zone. Poor. Reuters
  • Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 4. Brought on to provide a bit of craft when Wijnaldum left the game with 26 minutes remaining, the 27-year-old never got to the pace of the action. He had one shot that did not trouble the goalkeeper. Getty Images
    Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 4. Brought on to provide a bit of craft when Wijnaldum left the game with 26 minutes remaining, the 27-year-old never got to the pace of the action. He had one shot that did not trouble the goalkeeper. Getty Images
  • Curtis Jones - 5. Replaced Firmino with 11 minutes left. The 19-year-old could not influence the match against the massed ranks of defenders. AFP
    Curtis Jones - 5. Replaced Firmino with 11 minutes left. The 19-year-old could not influence the match against the massed ranks of defenders. AFP
  • BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 5. The Spaniard was in his comfort zone for most of the game but one strange excursion after a cross in the final quarter-hour could have cost his team dearly. Showed safe hands from a stoppage-time corner. AFP
    BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 5. The Spaniard was in his comfort zone for most of the game but one strange excursion after a cross in the final quarter-hour could have cost his team dearly. Showed safe hands from a stoppage-time corner. AFP
  • Ben White - 7. The 23-year old was disciplined and solid. He anticipated and closed down potential danger very quickly. Made sure Shaqiri was anonymous. Getty Images
    Ben White - 7. The 23-year old was disciplined and solid. He anticipated and closed down potential danger very quickly. Made sure Shaqiri was anonymous. Getty Images
  • Lewis Dunk - 8. A rock at the heart of the defence. The captain made repeated blocks and marshalled the side confidently even when they were under massive pressure. He made a telling block from Firmino. PA
    Lewis Dunk - 8. A rock at the heart of the defence. The captain made repeated blocks and marshalled the side confidently even when they were under massive pressure. He made a telling block from Firmino. PA
  • Adam Webster - 8. The 26-year-old needed to be alert to deal with the threat of Salah. He was awake to the danger when Liverpool tried a clever free kick in the second half. No one read the game better. PA
    Adam Webster - 8. The 26-year-old needed to be alert to deal with the threat of Salah. He was awake to the danger when Liverpool tried a clever free kick in the second half. No one read the game better. PA
  • Steven Alzate - 7. The 22-year-old closed down Thiago and was a big part of his team’s ferocious press. He was in the right position to score the winning goal, although the ball might have come off Trossard. Reuters
    Steven Alzate - 7. The 22-year-old closed down Thiago and was a big part of his team’s ferocious press. He was in the right position to score the winning goal, although the ball might have come off Trossard. Reuters
  • Pascal Gross - 7. The German showed clever movement and passing going forward and whipped in a nice cross for Maupay just before half time. He had a fine effort foiled by Kelleher in the second half. Reuters
    Pascal Gross - 7. The German showed clever movement and passing going forward and whipped in a nice cross for Maupay just before half time. He had a fine effort foiled by Kelleher in the second half. Reuters
  • Yves Bissouma - 8. The Malian patrolled the area in front of the back three effectively and distributed the ball well when in position to go forward. His late shot dipped over the bar and worried Kelleher. AP
    Yves Bissouma - 8. The Malian patrolled the area in front of the back three effectively and distributed the ball well when in position to go forward. His late shot dipped over the bar and worried Kelleher. AP
  • Dan Burn - 7. The defender missed a first-half opportunity when he skied a shot over the bar. He looked to get forward against Alexander-Arnold and provided an excellent headed pull-back to set up the goal. AFP
    Dan Burn - 7. The defender missed a first-half opportunity when he skied a shot over the bar. He looked to get forward against Alexander-Arnold and provided an excellent headed pull-back to set up the goal. AFP
  • Leandro Trossard - 7. The Belgian was strong running with the ball and the first line of defence when Liverpool had possession. He will feel he has a claim on the goal and he later went close to scoring a second. Substituted for Zeqiri with three minutes to go. Reuters
    Leandro Trossard - 7. The Belgian was strong running with the ball and the first line of defence when Liverpool had possession. He will feel he has a claim on the goal and he later went close to scoring a second. Substituted for Zeqiri with three minutes to go. Reuters
  • Neal Maupay - 7. The Frenchman held the ball up well and provided an outlet for an under-pressure defence. He was replaced by Connolly with seven minutes to go. Getty Images
    Neal Maupay - 7. The Frenchman held the ball up well and provided an outlet for an under-pressure defence. He was replaced by Connolly with seven minutes to go. Getty Images
  • Solly March - 7. The 26-year-old worked the line, helping out at the back and providing the cross that led to the goal. He limped off after 67 minutes and was replaced by Lallana. Reuters
    Solly March - 7. The 26-year-old worked the line, helping out at the back and providing the cross that led to the goal. He limped off after 67 minutes and was replaced by Lallana. Reuters
  • SUBS: Adam Lallana - 6. Returned to his old Anfield stomping ground with 23 minutes left when March was forced off. He brought an injection of energy to the team. Getty Images
    SUBS: Adam Lallana - 6. Returned to his old Anfield stomping ground with 23 minutes left when March was forced off. He brought an injection of energy to the team. Getty Images
  • Aaron Connolly - 7. Came on for Maupay with seven minutes left and harassed the Liverpool defence in the closing stages. He proved adept at keeping possession and relieving the pressure. Reuters
    Aaron Connolly - 7. Came on for Maupay with seven minutes left and harassed the Liverpool defence in the closing stages. He proved adept at keeping possession and relieving the pressure. Reuters
  • Andi Zeqiri – 5. Replaced Trossard with three minutes to go. There were no alarms for the Swiss as the clock ran down to victory. AFP
    Andi Zeqiri – 5. Replaced Trossard with three minutes to go. There were no alarms for the Swiss as the clock ran down to victory. AFP

Football

Liverpool not in title race, says Andrew Robertson as Jurgen Klopp blames mental fatigue for shock Brighton loss

Premier League champions fail to score for third straight home game and are seven points behind leaders Manchester City having played one game more

The National

February 04, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson insists the Premier League champions are no longer in the title race after Wednesday's shock home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion saw the gap on the leaders widen.

Juergen Klopp's side failed to score for the third successive home league game and managed only one effort on target as they fell seven points behind table-toppers Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Liverpool host Pep Guardiola's men on Sunday and Robertson said his team need to find a way to rediscover their spark ahead of that clash.

"Any game against Manchester City is a big one," Robertson told reporters. "As this moment stands, we're not in the title race. We are seven points behind them and they have a game in hand.

"I'm sure they'd say the same if they were potentially 10 points behind. We need to get back to the Liverpool everyone knows.

"We're still a good team. We don't turn into a bad team overnight."

Liverpool have been hit by injuries to key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip and have seen a squad competing on multiple fronts stretched at times this season.

Klopp believes the defeat to Brighton was a result of mental fatigue.

"We played against really good opposition, that's clear," Klopp said. "We looked mentally not fresh. They deserved to win.

"We wanted to play better and more convincing. We lost too many balls in promising situations. I know the boys can play pass A to B but today B did not seem reachable.

"We had a really tough week. We were not fresh tonight and that's when you have to find a way."

Liverpool players Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara during the defeat to Brighton. Reuter
Liverpool players Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara during the defeat to Brighton. Reuter

Considering Klopp's lack of options because of injuries to defenders, that is perhaps understandable, although new defensive signing Ben Davies was left as an unused substitute.

"The only explanation now is that we are a fatigued team, mentally more or less," Klopp said.

"We had our moments but they deserved to win. We had to defend with a lot of running, there is no formation in the world where you are always in the right place.

"The best way to defend against a team like that is to keep the ball yourself but we couldn't do it tonight. It has been a tough week and tonight it was not enough."

As far as looking ahead to the next match against in-form City, Klopp said: "City are flying and we have to find solutions."

MATCH INFO

Europa League final

Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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