Trossard hat-trick denies Liverpool in De Zerbi’s bow as Brighton boss
LIVERPOOL: Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick for Brighton as Liverpool’s slow start to the Premier League season continued in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Anfield on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp’s men were starring down the barrel of a first league defeat in front of fans at Anfield since 2017 when the Belgian scored twice inside the first 17 minutes. Liverpool have won only won two of their first seven league games of the season to already fall 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.
The Reds looked to have turned the game around when Roberto Firmino struck twice either side of half-time before Adam Webster’s own goal put the home side in front. But in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as Brighton boss, the Seagulls got the reward their performance deserved when Trossard fired in at the back post seven minutes from time. A point leaves Liverpool down in ninth, while Brighton remain in fourth.
De Zerbi’s debut lived up to the hype as the Italian’s brand of intricate passing out from the back cut Liverpool to shreds in the early stages. Klopp spoke out at length in defense of Trent Alexander-Arnold after he was overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate during the international break. But critics of Alexander-Arnold’s defending were given more ammunition after just four minutes when he was turned by Trossard and the Belgian fired into the far corner.
A nightmare opening 20 minutes for the hosts could have been much worse but for two big saves from Alisson Becker. Danny Welbeck placed his header from close range too close to the Brazilian, who then produced a brilliant stop as he flew off his line to deny Trossard. However, Liverpool were not so lucky when they passed up a third big chance after the opener as Brighton again worked an
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