Brighton and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Premier League fixture at the Amex this afternoon, with both sides coming away from the game feeling like they could have taken all three points.
This was always likely to be an exciting affair, featuring two of the best attacking sides in the English top flight. As well as that, this pair have also looked rather suspect at the back at times this season.
As it turned out, errors in the defence would play a part in all four goals.
Brighton took the lead after the managed to overturn possession in the final third, with Simon Adingra making the most of Alisson being caught out of position.
"ONE LAPSE AND HE IS PUNISHED!"
Mistake from Mac Allister and Adingra fires in from range! 💥 pic.twitter.com/DC9PEC0IbE— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
Liverpool would get back on level terms in similar circumstances in the 40th minute, with Brighton the team to lose the ball in a dangerous area before Mohamed Salah finished brilliantly.
SALAH LEVELS FOR LIVERPOOL! 🔴
His fourth Premier League goal this season! pic.twitter.com/EJiKRP00ko— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
However, it was the buildup to the Egyptian's second goal that has been causing some debate.
Big decision goes against Liverpool in draw with Brighton
Liverpool would take the lead in the game just before halftime, with Mohamed Salah scoring from the penalty spot.
The foul in the box came after Pascal Gross dragged down Dominik Szboszlai by the collar just the Hungarian looked likely to score. The Brighton man was booked, but some feel he should have faced a harsher punishment.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL! 👀 pic.twitter.com/hyJPmQwRTN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
While the rules surrounding red cards resulting from fouls in the box has softened in recent seasons, the laws still state that players should be sent off if they intentionally prevent a goalscoring opportunity by fouling an opposition player in the penalty area.
Gross made no attempt to play the ball on this occasion, dragging Szoboszlai down by his shirt. As a result, he was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Micah Richards said that the Brighton player should have received his marching orders.
I think by the letter of the law he does, if he doesn't pull him back it's a clear goalscoring opportunity. By the letter of the law it should have been a red card there...
He's just about to slide it into net if he doesn't pull him. What kind of evidence do you want?
If he doesn't pull him there, he's tapping it in. People might talk about don't pull him back on the line, but if you look, if he doesn't touch him he's sliding it into an empty net.
If that isn't the denial of a goalscoring opportunity, I don't know how.
A red card at that stage likely would have been a decisive factor in the game, with Brighton down to ten men and being a goal behind with a half still to play. However, they would go on to equalise late in the game after they kept a full compliment of players on the pitch.
After the controversy of last week's decisions, Liverpool can perhaps consider themselves a bit hard done by once again on this occasion.
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