- Izzy Brown says Brighton never expected to concede from set play against Liverpool
- Emre Can puts Reds ahead with header from Philippe Coutinho’s corner
- Liverpool played with just one recognised centre-back in Dejan Lovren
- SEE MORE: (Video) Magical Coutinho footwork v Brighton goes viral
Izzy Brown admits Brighton hadn’t envisioned Liverpool posing as a threat from set-pieces, let alone scoring from one in Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat.
Jurgen Klopp’s men took the lead courtesy of Emre Can in the 30th minute, with the German rising to meet Philippe Coutinho’s corner with a towering header.
The source of the goal came as much of a surprise to the Reds as it did for the hosts, after planning for a role-reversal had seemingly dominated pre-match preparations for both teams.
Speaking to the The Argus, Brown said: “Before the game we were talking about our set plays and that we could be a threat.”
“We never thought Liverpool would score against us from a set play but someone lost their man and it happens sometimes in football.”
“We had a good chance in the first half, should have taken it, but we didn’t. They were clinical and that’s the difference between us and them on the day.”
“They hit us on the break, so quick and so sharp, and they took their chances.”
Can lived up to his temporary role as part of a defensive trio, producing a headed goal Liverpool’s usual centre-backs would have been proud of.
Besides opening the scoring, the German filled in admirably alongside Dejan Lovren and, with the Croatian, helped Georginio Wijnaldum in adapting to his unfamiliar defensive position.
Though it wasn’t evident due to injuries to key defenders on Saturday, Klopp boasts a wealth of height at his disposal that should pose a threat from set-plays more often.
With the right delivery, the likes of Can, Lovren and Joel Matip represent target men more than capable of making corners and free-kicks count more regularly.
It’s certainly an area worth tending to when possible in training, especially as a conventional backup plan to Liverpool’s counterattacking approach.