£90,000/week Liverpool star was not the problem against Brighton despite criticism

Luis Diaz has been targeted by critics after Liverpool's recent underwhelming display against Brighton. The Colombian has received the vast majority of the blame although he was not the sole issue.

The Reds remain fourth in the Premier League table after picking up just one point from a 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium. It's a costly result after being robbed against Spurs last week.

However, a deeper analysis of the match reflects how Diaz was not the sole reason for the team's disjointed display even though he was not at his personal best.

Liverpool's defensive flaws came to the forefront again as the team conceded the first goal for the seventh time this season in all competitions.

Worryingly, Liverpool have conceded three goals within the first ten minutes, marking a disturbing trend of early vulnerability that has continued from the 2022/23 season.

Alexis Mac Allister continued to be deployed in the no.6 position. As Liverpool is yet to sign another defensive midfielder, it leaves Mac Allister, more often than not, having to adapt to a role he's not inherently comfortable with.

Consequently, to criticise him directly for not consistently delivering in that position is unjust.

Until Liverpool sign a new defensive midfielder, with Andre heavily linked with a move to Anfield in January, Klopp will be forced to use Mac Allister in that role again with hopes that the situation will improve.

The game could have seen a different outcome had Ryan Gravenberch not missed at the back post. This could have potentially brought the Liverpool lead to 3-1.

Despite this missed opportunity, the strategic implications of what Gravenberch brings to midfield should indicate that he needs to be given consistent playtime by Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp's substitutions, normally tactically astute, also backfired.

The decision to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold with Joe Gomez, despite the right-back having successfully contained Kaoru Mitoma for most of the match, arguably disrupted Liverpool's momentum.

Gomez struggled hugely. Mitoma found a lot more space against the centre-back and subsequently allowed his team the chance to gain ground in Liverpool's half with more frequency.

This decision marked a crucial turning point in the match and undeniably impacted Liverpool's rhythm on the field.

Therefore, while it's easy to single out an individual player like Luis Diaz for criticism, the failure against Brighton was not solely his cross to bear.

That said, the Colombian, who earns £90,000/week, was very predictable with his use of the ball and offered little in terms of a way out in the face of Brighton's passive defensive tactics. In games like these, Liverpool need more of the runs he made when he first came to the club, stretching the opposition backline to advance the Reds' attack.

After he was robbed of a goal against Spurs, he will be forgiven by fans for an idealless display but he will hopefully return from the international break fresh and ready to fire.

He will face Uruguay and Darwin Nunez in what will be an interesting battle between two Liverpool fan favourites.