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4/10 Dud Stinks – Liverpool vs Brighton Player Ratings and Match Highlights

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6 months ago

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Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon to get back to winning ways and move temporarily up to sixth place.

The hosts got off to a flying start and took the lead after just 46 seconds as Hugo Ekitike capitalised on an error, and made no mistake with his finish, smashing it past Bart Verbruggen.

In the 51st minute, Brighton missed a golden opportunity to level up the match as Diego Gomez hit the post from just a few yards, and that proved to be costly, as right on the hour mark, Liverpool doubled their lead through Ekitike again, as he headed home from a Mohamed Salah corner and sealed all three points.

Match Highlights

Liverpool Player Ratings

liverpool brighton

GK: Alisson Becker – 8/10

Produced a superb save in the first half to deny Gomez a clear opportunity. Outside of that save in the 14th minute, Alisson didn’t have a single save to make and wasn’t asked to do much with the ball at his feet either.

RB: Joseph Gomez – 6/10

Enjoyed a brilliant start to the match, assisting Ekitike’s opening goal after just 45 seconds. Gomez’s time on the pitch lasted just 26 minutes, as he picked up an injury and had to be taken off.

CB: Ibrahima Konate – 8/10

Defensively and physically dominant. Konate dealt with the threat of Brighton’s attackers very well, but still had some moments where he looked quite shaky and made a few silly fouls.

CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7.5/10

Didn’t put a foot wrong with the ball at his feet and was never really defensively challenged during the match.

LB: Milos Kerkez – 7.5/10

Played with plenty of energy up and down the left flank. Although Kerkez didn’t really produce much going forward, defensively, he was very good against a talented winger in Minteh.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5/10

Didn’t really have any significant involvement in the match aside from sending Salah through on goal with a nice pass. Mac Allister saw hardly any of the ball compared to his fellow midfielders, and at times looked tired and timid, especially in the tackle.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5/10

Had some really tidy moments with the ball at his feet and managed to start several quick counter-attacks for his side, which probably should’ve resulted in some goals.

CM: Curtis Jones – 8/10

Saw plenty of the ball and was very effective with it. Jones was always looking to get Liverpool forward with his passing, and also had several bright moments where he took the ball and burst through the midfield.

RW: Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.5/10

Put in a solid performance considering he was moved to right back in the first half. The Hungarian put some good crosses into the box and was defensively sound.

ST: Hugo Ekitike – 9/10 (Man of the Match)

The difference maker for Liverpool. Ekitike was a nightmare for the Brighton defenders to deal with all afternoon, and he took his two goals very well.

LW: Florian Wirtz – 8/10

Arguably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt so far. The German worked his socks off, but also created some really good chances for his teammates and showed real quality with the ball at his feet.

SUB: Mohamed Salah – 8.5/10

The Egyptian showed glimpses of being back to his best. Salah provided a very good assist for Ekitike’s second goal and was by far Liverpool’s best and most effective creative threat.

SUB: Andrew Robertson – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Alexander Isak – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Federico Chiesa – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

Brighton Player Ratings

Georginio Rutter and Milos Kerkez in action for Liverpool and Brighton in the Premier League

GK: Bart Verbruggen – 5.5/10

Didn’t have much to do outside of making a few routine saves. Verbruggen arguably could’ve done better to stop Ekitike’s opening goal, as although it was hit with power, it was basically directed down the middle of the goal.

RB: Mats Wieffer – 5/10

Had a really tough afternoon against Wirtz. Wieffer struggled with the German’s energy and was second best pretty much every time he was in a defensive one-on-one situation.

CB: Jan Paul van Hecke – 6/10

Decent with the ball at his feet, but had a few moments where he looked to struggle to deal with Ekitike’s pace and power.

CB: Lewis Dunk – 5.5/10

Really struggled with the pace of Liverpool’s attackers. Dunk was caught out of position several times, which led to Liverpool almost scoring several goals on the counter-attack.

LB: Ferdi Kadioglu – 5.5/10

Showed some quality in the final third, but really struggled to deal with Salah.

CM: Jack Hinshelwood – 5.5/10

Played with plenty of energy, but lacked the quality on the ball to make things happen. Hinshelwood saw quite a bit of the ball, but mainly played it sideways and backwards instead of moving Brighton up the pitch.

CM: Carlos Baleba – 4/10

Seemed to really struggle with the pace and intensity of the match. Baleba also didn’t do much with the ball at his feet, which is surprising, as he is a player who is typically technically brilliant, and he was disappointing before heading to AFCON.

AM: Brajan Gruda – 7/10

Looked very bright and energetic in the final third. The German had some tidy moments with the ball at his feet and went close to scoring in the 56th minute.

RW: Yankuba Minteh – 5.5/10

Dealt with quite easily by Kerkez. Minteh tried his best to impose his pace and power, but was unsuccessful most of the time.

ST: Georginio Rutter – 6/10

Had a few bright moments in the final third, but they were mainly creative moments which favoured his teammates. In front of goal, Rutter didn’t really have a sniff.

LW: Diego Gomez – 5/10

Missed an absolute sitter in the 51st minute and was lucky to have remained on the pitch after kicking Wirtz in the chest.

SUB: Yasin Ayari – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Kaoru Mitoma – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Danny Welbeck – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Charalampos Kostoulas – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.​​​​​​​

SUB: James Milner – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

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Sports

Real Madrid Want Arsenal Star Piero Hincapie

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16 minutes ago

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June 23, 2026

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Arsenal are facing a fight to keep hold of defender Piero Hincapie, as ESPN reports that Real Madrid have made enquiries about signing the Ecuadorian international this summer.

It’s not the first time that Jose Mourinho has come knocking at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with previous reports suggesting that Riccardo Calafiori was a target for Los Blancos.

In that instance, Arsenal held firm and instead, Real Madrid went and signed Marc Cucurella from Chelsea to fill the void they had at left-back.

However, with centre-back problems lurking in the background for the Spanish giants, they are back shopping in the Premier League, and are looking to swipe a star from the Gunners.

Real Madrid Want Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie in action for Arsenal against Wolves in the Premier League

After failing in an attempt to sign Calafiori, Real Madrid are looking at Arsenal star Hincapie, as ESPN reports that enquiries have been made over a deal.

It comes as Los Blancos want a left-footed centre-back, with moves elsewhere in the backline set to free up a space for the position this summer.

Any deal looks difficult, however, as Arsenal are set to make Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent this summer with a £45 million clause in his deal.

That’s not to say a move isn’t possible, but the Gunners would likely be hesitant to let the 24-year-old leave without at least banking a significant profit on a switch to a Champions League rival.

Having already sounded out Hincapie, the report adds that Real Madrid have also enquired about Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nico Schlotterbeck – though the latter is now unlikely to move due to an injury sustained at the World Cup with Germany.

In all, it means Arsenal could face a potential battle in keeping the versatile defender, but have all the cards in their hand to keep him if they so wish.

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What Mikel Arteta has said about Hincapie

Mikel Arteta waving to the Arsenal crowd

Hincapie wasn’t always a guaranteed started for Arsenal over the course of the previous season, but he did play a large role in the team finally winning the Premier League.

The defender was a reliable option, especially when injuries struck in the backline, adding plenty of pace and physicality at full-back in particular.

“When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior,'” Arteta said in March to TNT Sports.


Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on ahead of Champions League final vs Paris St Germain


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“He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had. He’s come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it’s like he’s been here for 10 years.

“He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.”

It shows exactly what Arteta thinks of Hincapie, and perhaps further underlines how tough it may be for Real Madrid to tempt a move this summer.

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Sports

Djed Spence Refuses Thomas Partey Handshake

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40 minutes ago

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June 23, 2026

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One England player chose not to shake Thomas Partey’s hand before the Three Lions faced Ghana in their second World Cup game in Boston on Tuesday night.

The Ghanaian midfielder, previously of Arsenal, is currently facing allegations that include seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women, as per The Mirror.

These incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022, with investigations taking place while he was still plying his trade in the Premier League.


England Players Singing the National Anthem


England Told to Ditch ‘God Save the King’ at the World Cup With Replacement Named

England have been urged to change their national anthem for football matches, and ditch ‘God Save the King’.

England Player Refuses Thomas Partey’s Handshake Before World Cup Tie

England National Anthem Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)

Heading into the clash, the English FA’s stance was that the players could make their own decision on whether or not to embrace Partey following the national anthems being played.

In Djed Spence’s case, the Tottenham defender chose to keep his arms by his side as his former north London adversary walked past him. Watch the incident below:

More to follow…

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Sports

England Told to Ditch ‘God Save the King’ Before Matches

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58 minutes ago

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June 23, 2026

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The 2026 World Cup has brought national anthems into the spotlight as the pre-game routine has seen everyone get involved in belting out their country’s chosen tune.

Each player and nation have different preferences when it comes to their national anthem. For example, Spain players no longer sing their anthem as the lyrics have been removed. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo stands sideways while singing his nation’s song.

England players stand together and sing the words to ‘God Save the King’ before matches. While the song about the Royal Family technically isn’t the ‘national anthem’, it’s effectively treated as one. But that doesn’t mean it’s popular.

Three Lions Urged Into Pre-Match Anthem Change

England National Anthem Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)

In fact, a poll carried out by Express Sport has suggested the majority of English supporters would rather not be subjected to the anthem before they watch their country play. When asked to vote on whether ‘God Save the King’ should be replaced, a staggering 55% believe it should.

Out of the 4,000 voters, 1,902 were in the camp that believed the tune shouldn’t be scrapped, with the remainder wanting change. Of those who are in favour of replacing the pre-match song, 15% think it should be substituted for ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.

Another 40% chose ‘Jerusalem’ by Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Edward Elgar. However, the majority (44%) went for a song written in 1901 and used at the Commonwealth Games until 2010. That is, of course, ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’.

So there’s a fairly even split between the potential replacements, but most people appear to want to see the back of the current anthem. Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, wants Oasis’ Wonderwall to be his team’s post-match song.

Why Thomas Tuchel Doesn’t Sing the National Anthem

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel is unlike those asking for change, as the German boss has already labelled it ‘a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem’. Speaking in March 2025, he stated:

“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team.”

But you won’t catch Tuchel belting out the anthem before England matches, for the time being at least. Instead, the ex-Chelsea boss feels he should earn that right.


England fans with flag in the background


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England have a long list of songs and chants, all of which will be sung at major tournaments. Check out our guide for the complete songbook.

When asked why he doesn’t join in, he said: “It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful, the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”

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