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Played
September 21, 2011 7:45 PM BST
The American Express Community Stadium — Brighton, East Sussex
Referee: M. Oliver
Attendance: 21897
September 21, 2011 7:45 PM BST
The American Express Community Stadium — Brighton, East Sussex
Referee: M. Oliver
Attendance: 21897
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| Brighton | 5.25 | 67.00 | 5.75 | 81.00 | 6.00 | 4.70 | 150.00 | 5.90 | 5.00 |
| Draw | 3.65 | 5.00 | 4.10 | 66.00 | 4.00 | 3.55 | 15.00 | 3.75 | 3.80 |
| Liverpool | 1.62 | 1.11 | 1.57 | 1.00 | 1.53 | 1.65 | 1.01 | 1.55 | 1.55 |
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Brighton 1-2 Liverpool: Craig Bellamy scores first goal since Anfield switch as Steven Gerrard returns from injury
Liverpool skipper sees action for the first time since March and Spaniard Vicente makes Seagulls debut, as Reds make wholesale changes following drubbing at the weekend
By Steve Hewlett
Getty Images
It was a tale of two subs at the AmEx Stadium as Steven Gerrard made his long awaited return from injury for Liverpool in the 2-1 League Cup victory over Brighton, in a game which also saw Vicente make his debut for the south coast side.
Craig Bellamy gave the away side an early lead, returning to the Liverpool starting XI for the first time since his return, and Dirk Kuyt sealed the win late in the second half by doubling the lead.
Goals in each half from Kenny Dalglish's side wereenough to see of Gus Poyet's men, who gave a good account of themselves against their Premier League visitors, scoring a late conciliation.
Brighton manager Poyet had a real selection dilemma going into this fixture, with Leeds United coming to the AmEx Stadium on Friday night and Crystal Palace next Tuesday, meaning many of his players could be playing three games in the space of six days.
On the other hand, the need for a win for Liverpool was paramount as Dalglish’s side entered this game. Two scoreless defeats – a respectable loss at Stoke and the nightmare defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday – meant that any slip-ups against a talented Brighton side would be met with serious ramifications.
With Liverpool not in European competition of any kind for the first time since 1999/00, the focus shifts onto the cup competitions for success this season. The Premier League title seems out of financial reach with the two Manchester clubs setting the pace, so the League Cup is a viable option for another addition to the Anfield trophy room.
Dalglish made seven changes from the side which lost on Sunday – although with such a heavy defeat wholesale changes were expected – one of which was bringing Craig Bellamy into the starting XI.
The move paid dividends quickly, when after seven minutes a marvellous passage of swift, sharp passing from Liverpool allowed Luis Suarez to feed Bellamy. The Welshman strode past the defence to slide the ball into the far post leaving Casper Ankergren floundering. It was the mark of a side with obvious talent and the know-how to implement it.
With Brighton going behind so quickly, the Sussex side receded somewhat fearing a drubbing could be on the cards and this allowed the visitors to dictate the game. Lucas and Jay Spearing in particular were controlling affairs from the heart of the team.
With such dominance chances were always on the horizon, and the front pair of Bellamy and Suarez had the best of the missed opportunities. A Bellamy free-kick from the right was met by the head of Suarez, who’s glancing header scraped the outside of the post on its path past Ankergren.
Another dead ball from the Welshman almost doubled the lead when he fired an effort from 35 yards and was unlucky to see the ball smash against the crossbar.
As the half drew to its conclusion, it was Brighton who took the game by the scruff of the neck and a slinky run from Will Buckley on the left wing resulted in Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly bundling Buckley down. Referee Mike Oliver was literally on top of the incident and decided that contact was minimal, waiving away the home side's calls for a penalty.
The last act of the first half was another Brighton raid which saw Craig Noone’s shot forcing a fumble from Pepe Reina, which required Kelly to slide in to clear the imminent danger.
Gull's Tumble | Brighton's Inigo Calderon is challenged by Maxi Rodriguez
The second half saw Brighton continue to trouble Liverpool but the killer instinct was never quite there. A change was needed by Poyet and what a change he made.
Vicente, the former Spanish international who was signed from Valencia in the summer, received rapturous applause when he came on to make his debut for the injured Buckley on the hour. Much is expected of Vicente and this game was an ideal starting point for his Brighton career.
As time passed, the chances of Brighton getting back into the contest waned and Dalglish took this situation to give his captain Gerrard his first competitive action since March when the England man replaced Suarez after 75 mintues.
Liverpool continued to hold the whip hand and Kuyt doubled Liverpool's advantage on 88 mintues with a cool finish to beat Ankergren, whose evening continued to worsen.
Vicente didn't get on the scoresheet but he did earn the penalty which gave Brighton the slimmest of hopes of a comeback. The Spaniard was felled by Carragher, allowing Ashley Barnes to step up and give the Brighton fans something to cheer.
Liverpool fans would have been pleased with the calm and assured performance, and with the knowledge that they are in the hat for the next round which will be drawn this coming Saturday.
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Craig Bellamy gave the away side an early lead, returning to the Liverpool starting XI for the first time since his return, and Dirk Kuyt sealed the win late in the second half by doubling the lead.
Goals in each half from Kenny Dalglish's side wereenough to see of Gus Poyet's men, who gave a good account of themselves against their Premier League visitors, scoring a late conciliation.
Brighton manager Poyet had a real selection dilemma going into this fixture, with Leeds United coming to the AmEx Stadium on Friday night and Crystal Palace next Tuesday, meaning many of his players could be playing three games in the space of six days.
On the other hand, the need for a win for Liverpool was paramount as Dalglish’s side entered this game. Two scoreless defeats – a respectable loss at Stoke and the nightmare defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday – meant that any slip-ups against a talented Brighton side would be met with serious ramifications.
With Liverpool not in European competition of any kind for the first time since 1999/00, the focus shifts onto the cup competitions for success this season. The Premier League title seems out of financial reach with the two Manchester clubs setting the pace, so the League Cup is a viable option for another addition to the Anfield trophy room.
Dalglish made seven changes from the side which lost on Sunday – although with such a heavy defeat wholesale changes were expected – one of which was bringing Craig Bellamy into the starting XI.
The move paid dividends quickly, when after seven minutes a marvellous passage of swift, sharp passing from Liverpool allowed Luis Suarez to feed Bellamy. The Welshman strode past the defence to slide the ball into the far post leaving Casper Ankergren floundering. It was the mark of a side with obvious talent and the know-how to implement it.
With Brighton going behind so quickly, the Sussex side receded somewhat fearing a drubbing could be on the cards and this allowed the visitors to dictate the game. Lucas and Jay Spearing in particular were controlling affairs from the heart of the team.
With such dominance chances were always on the horizon, and the front pair of Bellamy and Suarez had the best of the missed opportunities. A Bellamy free-kick from the right was met by the head of Suarez, who’s glancing header scraped the outside of the post on its path past Ankergren.
Another dead ball from the Welshman almost doubled the lead when he fired an effort from 35 yards and was unlucky to see the ball smash against the crossbar.
As the half drew to its conclusion, it was Brighton who took the game by the scruff of the neck and a slinky run from Will Buckley on the left wing resulted in Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly bundling Buckley down. Referee Mike Oliver was literally on top of the incident and decided that contact was minimal, waiving away the home side's calls for a penalty.
The last act of the first half was another Brighton raid which saw Craig Noone’s shot forcing a fumble from Pepe Reina, which required Kelly to slide in to clear the imminent danger.
Gull's Tumble | Brighton's Inigo Calderon is challenged by Maxi Rodriguez
The second half saw Brighton continue to trouble Liverpool but the killer instinct was never quite there. A change was needed by Poyet and what a change he made.
Vicente, the former Spanish international who was signed from Valencia in the summer, received rapturous applause when he came on to make his debut for the injured Buckley on the hour. Much is expected of Vicente and this game was an ideal starting point for his Brighton career.
As time passed, the chances of Brighton getting back into the contest waned and Dalglish took this situation to give his captain Gerrard his first competitive action since March when the England man replaced Suarez after 75 mintues.
Liverpool continued to hold the whip hand and Kuyt doubled Liverpool's advantage on 88 mintues with a cool finish to beat Ankergren, whose evening continued to worsen.
Vicente didn't get on the scoresheet but he did earn the penalty which gave Brighton the slimmest of hopes of a comeback. The Spaniard was felled by Carragher, allowing Ashley Barnes to step up and give the Brighton fans something to cheer.
Liverpool fans would have been pleased with the calm and assured performance, and with the knowledge that they are in the hat for the next round which will be drawn this coming Saturday.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In BST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rubén Rochina
Striker Blackburn |
4 | 0 |
|
Peter Lovenkrands
Striker Newcastle United |
3 | 2 |
|
Michael Owen
Striker Manchester United |
3 | 0 |
|
Darren Ambrose
Midfielder Crystal Palace |
3 | 0 |
|
Edin Dzeko
Striker Manchester City |
3 | 0 |
