OK. I think it is time we are honest with ourselves. I think we need to start to accept that there is something very wrong with Liverpool. After today's entertaining but ultimately very disappointing 3-3 draw with Brighton, it is obvious that this isn't the same Liverpool team we are used to.

The defence is an absolute mess. We can't blame Trent Alexander-Arnold or Virgil van Dijk for all of their problems. However, both players were terrible today. It is especially alarming and pretty ironic after Jürgen Klopp had to go out of his way to defend Trent in his press conference on Friday.

Alexander-Arnold was left out of the England national team over the international break, and today he showed why Gareth Southgate made the right decision. He was directly responsible for both Brighton goals in the first half. His two poor clearances ended up on Leandro Trossard's boots and in the back of the Liverpool net. 

People are very hard on Alexander-Arnold and I am usually the first person to defend him. However, today he shrank from the spotlight and stunk up the joint.

Van Dijk had a better overall game but, he whiffed so badly on the Kaoru Mitoma cross that Leandro Trossard buried for their 3rd goal, it was almost as bad as both of Trent's goofs. At least Trent got a piece of the ball, and Liverpool didn't just fight all the way back from a 2 goal deficit. Virgil is too good of a defender to let that ball through.

Too Many Draws Will Cost the Reds

The third Brighton goal was an absolute killer, taking 3 points off the board and all the air out of Anfield. The Reds' 4th draw in the first 7 matches of the 2022/23 Premier League season felt like a loss. It's the first of the 4 that really felt that way. However, all 4 should have been wins.

We talked about the Reds dropping points through draws against the elite teams that cost them a title in our 3-part schedule preview. When they are dropping points through draws to teams that have been freshly promoted or about to be in a relegation battle, that could cost them even getting into European competition.

Draws against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Everton, and now Brighton does not bode well for the matches to come against bigger and better teams. And guess what? Those games start next week. Top of the table Arsenal on next Sunday, October 9th and then the defending champions, Manchester City on October 16th. 

Liverpool aren't ready for either of those matches. Arsenal look the best they have in years, and well Manchester City are Manchester City. If the Liverpool team we saw for the first half hour of this match today shows up at the Emirates next week, they will be blown out of the building.

Something Needs to Change

Liverpool currently sit in 9th in the Premier League. 9th! Brighton for the moment are holding on to 4th, and if we're being honest that is where Liverpool want to be. I won't say they should be there, because that kind of attitude of entitlement is toxic in football. 

So what should Jürgen Klopp and his backroom staff do? They don't have much time, as they have a Champions League match on Tuesday night against Rangers. Well, they clearly need to shuffle the deck defensively, not just the backline either. 

The centre-back combo of van Dijk and Joël Matip didn't work today. Brighton had it way too easy at times in the Liverpool box. There were problems in the holding midfield as well. Defensively Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago didn't have a great game today either. 

Klopp needs to identify where the leaks are and put the right players in to fix them. Now I understand that is easier said than done, especially with a limited roster. Things might have been different today had Andy Robertson or Naby Keïta been available, but they weren't. 

Klopp said that maybe Ibrahima Konaté would be ready to go this weekend in his press conference. He wasn't but hopefully, when he gets back, he will be able to help 

None of the answers are easy but Liverpool need to cut the crap. They've already had multiple opportunities to rack up the points this season. Face it, they've been through a very easy portion of their schedule to start the season. Things are only getting harder from here. 

Man of the Match and What's Next

For our Man of the Match, we are going to stay positive and give it to Roberto Firmino. Our favourite Brazilian striker took the team lead with his 4th and 5th goals of the season this afternoon. You should also make a case for Brighton's Leandro Trossard. The Belgian bossed Liverpool all afternoon and every one of his goals in his hat trick was fantastic. 

Next up for Liverpool is a tricky Champions League match against Rangers on Tuesday night at 20:00 BST at Anfield. It's tricky because Rangers fans travel well and the atmosphere at Anfield will be… umm let's say combative. After that, two absolutely brutal Premier League fixtures. Arsenal on Sunday, October 9th in North London and then Manchester City on the 16th. Thankfully that match will be at Anfield. Until then, good night and good luck…