Alan Shearer has warned Liverpool that they must eliminate the defensive errors that nearly cost them in midweek, insisting Brighton will exploit their openness if they play the same way on Sunday. The Reds host the high-flying Seagulls at Anfield in the Premier League, having maintained their perfect Champions League record with a 4-3 comeback win over Villarreal on Tuesday night.
Liverpool trailed 2-0 inside the first half-hour after goals from Georges Mikautadze in the fourth minute and Sergi Cardona just before the half-hour mark. Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo levelled before the break, with Mac Allister adding a second after the interval and Florian Wirtz extending the lead. Tani Oluwaseyi set up a nervy finish with a goal three minutes from time.
Shearer's warning after defensive display
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: "I did the game on Tuesday at Anfield, and for thirty-five minutes they were as bad as I've seen them. Mistake after mistake after mistake. They found themselves 2-0 down, they couldn't find a pass, and they were far too open. They were really, really poor."
He added: "They're going to have to improve massively defensively. I mean, they conceded three in the last Champions League game, they conceded three at home to Villarreal. Yet they've won three out of three in that competition. So, they're going all right in the league, but they've got a big test coming up, they've got some tough fixtures."
Brighton sit third in the Premier League table, and Shearer believes they will punish Liverpool's current defensive vulnerability. "They have Brighton up next in the league, and the way they are playing, the form they're in, they will exploit Liverpool if they play as open as they have been doing, because too many defensive mistakes, too much space in between and in behind the back ball. Brighton will definitely exploit that," he said.
Ngumoha urged to start
Shearer also called for Andoni Iraola to hand Rio Ngumoha a starting place against Brighton. The 18-year-old was a standout performer against Villarreal, providing assists for two of the four goals. Shearer believes his display should earn him the nod ahead of summer signings Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, who cost a combined £157 million.
Both players have fitness concerns ahead of the weekend. Munoz missed Thursday's training session, while Barcola trained away from the main group.
Shearer said: "Even in the first half an hour against Villarreal, he was the only player in a red shirt who was performing well. He was positive. He ran with his defender on toast. Everything he did was exciting, you know."
He added: "The question is does he play him at the weekend against Brighton because of Munoz and because of Barcola? I think it would be a real shame if he didn't after that performance. I know the calibre of those two, but if it was me, I'd leave him in there. I think he deserves to start at this weekend."
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday, with Iraola set to decide whether Ngumoha keeps his place after his standout European display.
