All-time Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer believes that one Liverpool player in particular had a ‘poor game’ against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Reds came from two down but ended up drawing 3-3 at Anfield in the first game of Roberto de Zerbi’s reign as Brighton boss.
Leandro Trossard opened the visitors’ account in the fourth minute, skipping past Alexander-Arnold to fire past Alisson, and in a similar vein, he doubled the Seagulls’ lead 13 minutes later.
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Liverpool pulled back into the game when Mohamed Salah’s lay-off found Roberto Firmino, who chipped past Robert Sanchez.
Firmino levelled after the break, making it five goals in six games for the Brazilian - who was expected to have a severe drop-off in minutes following the signing of Darwin Nunez and the return of Diogo Jota.
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The Reds gained the lead for the first time in the match when a corner rebounded off Adam Webster’s back, but with ten to go, Trossard bagged his third to equalise.
Shearer reserved criticism for one player in particular though, saying that 26-year-old full-back Kostas Tsimikas had a ‘really poor game’.
Being frank, the entirety of Liverpool’s defensive line had a shocker, and to single out Tsimikas would be unfair.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has received just criticism for his recent performances and was again under scrutiny from former Manchester United forward Lee Sharpe on Stadium Astro, who said that he ‘just jogs back’ when defending.
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Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip didn’t cover themselves in glory either.
Tsimikas has been largely excellent since covering for Andy Robertson on a regular basis from last season, and there have even been calls for him to start ahead of the currently injured Scot when both are fully fit.
He will probably start the matches against Rangers and Arsenal, with the timeline on Robertson’s return currently unknown - and will have a chance to disprove any critics from what has been a good start to the campaign by the ‘Greek Scouser’.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Liverpool, Alan Shearer, Brighton And Hove Albion