With a win Brighton would have leapt up to 6th and left Liverpool adrift in 10th. The visitors would have held their position but gone a point behind Aston Villa and just two behind the Albion. Bearing all that in mind, of course it was always going to be a draw…

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• For a full recap of the match action courtesy of Bruce Talbot on the Official BHAFC Website click: HERE
• Match highlights are available via the WSL YouTube channel: HERE
• The SheGulls Podcast will be reviewing the game live at 9pm tonight (Monday) via the SheGulls YouTube channel: HERE – where you can also watch via the Live tab on catch-up any time after broadcast!

Brighton & Hove Albion

• Both teams might feel slightly unfortunate not to have won the game, though that speaks to the quantity and quality of the chances each side had. From an Albion perspective it seemed to come down to a lack of composure, a lack of decisiveness – whether that be in the final ball or an attempt on goal – that just let them down.
• Case in point, Rosa Kafaji, who looked particularly lively in the first half, could have scored a tap in if the cutback to her from Fran Kirby was more accurate. Equally she chose to shoot and blasted the ball miles over the bar in a situation where a pass to a teammate would have been by far the better option. It’s these moments where, if Brighton really want to climb the ladder, they have to be better.
• This is where it is important to understand the limitations of the Brighton squad right now. Dario Vidosic has been vocal this season about the lack of attacking options he has at his disposal. Numbers don’t lie and the club was already light a striker before Michelle Agyemang went down in October after losing Nikita Parris in the summer to London City. At this crucial point in the season, with the defence holding their own, the head coach is effectively having to rely on attacking midfielders to become WSL-level goalscorers in order to compete. It’s a conundrum for the next transfer window now, but don’t underestimate the impact it will have had on where the Seagulls finish in the table.
• The defence for the most part was solid and restricted Liverpool to just a handful of chances. There were moments though that almost dirtied their clean sheet. An error from Marisa Olislagers put Mia Enderby through one on one with the goalkeeper and it was only perhaps youthful exuberance that sent the ball flying over the crossbar when she should have scored. Then, in the dying moments of the game, a calamitous series of events led to a rather tame shot from Aurelie Csillag which Chiamaka Nnadozie almost scooped into her own net. From the resulting corner Liverpool won the header and it was only a goal line clearance from Maelys Mpome that saved a point for the Albion. It just drives home the fact that in the blink of an eye, or a slight distraction, all that hard work can be undone.
• The midfield battled well and more than held their own, but it felt too busy in central areas and the likes of Jelena Cankovic and Maisie Symonds found it hard to influence the game as much as they would have liked. Bex Rayner also toiled away, though she was unable to really drive anything forward, and is still working towards being fit for a full 90 minutes.
• To the naked eye Liverpool looked to have more energy, particularly in their press, which they kept high all game long. The majority of the Brighton team also played on Wednesday night against Chelsea, so there may have been some fatigue both physically and mentally felt amongst them. In reality of course these are the rigours of WSL football and you’ll get no sympathy from the opposition – and rightly so.
• Overall it would be hard to argue with a point a piece. It seems logical that both teams sit where they are in the table given their propensity for allowing opportunities whilst not being able to efficiently put them away themselves.

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Dario Post-Match Press Conference

• Felt that they had some good chances that didn’t end in a shot on goal.
• Thought Brighton were the better team, but it was a close game.
• Lack of creativity an issue, particularly with Kiko Seike away on Asian Cup duty. They are working on addressing this in the summer.
• Liverpool played the way they expected, particularly in the press.
• Agreed that it’s harder to break the press with the lack of options on the wing or in the striker position.
• Pitch didn’t ‘look or feel great’ under foot which contributed to some misplaced passes, bobbles, slips etc.
• Thought fatigue was occasionally a factor, but that the team performed well and gave it their all to get the win the game in front of the home crowd.
• Bex and Rosa were withdrawn partly down to fatigue with Maelys and Rachel situated on the right-hand side to make the most of their speed. Fuka Tsunoda came on to try and press their back line.
• Maelys is ‘one for the fans’ – season blighted by injuries, but now she’s back fit, she’ll play more and more and is an exciting young player.

Liverpool

• The Reds have long been a bogey side for the Albion as they always seem to struggle against them whether or not form and talent dictates they should. One of the traits that perhaps embodies this is the work rate that is embedded within the Liverpool culture. You can debate individuals, but the fact they don’t stop running from whistle to whistle serves them well and keeps them in games where others may falter.
• If there’s defender in the league right now more consistent and imposing than Jenna Clark then please let me know. More perhaps of an old-fashioned stopper than a modern playmaking centre back – she does the basics very well and is a real physical powerhouse both in the air and on the ground. It’s a tight contest between Clark and Anna Patten for most underrated central defender in the WSL at the moment.
• On this evidence, and indeed the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Liverpool aren’t going down, they may be building back to where they were a season or two ago, but they won’t be doing so from the WSL 2.

Other Business

• The attendance of 2316 was about as expected. It had been a while since the last Broadfield game and Liverpool aren’t one of the lowest drawing teams in the league. Of course everyone always wants more fans in the stadium, but the turn out on Sunday seemed consistent with what we have seen this season.
• Liverpool brought a good away following – with two coaches of fans making the trip. Whilst this is indeed impressive it should be taken into context that their away travel is free which doubtless has a positive effect on numbers.
• Absolutely no complaints about the officials beyond the odd moment of inconsistency. A good day for the refereeing crew led by Ade Soneye.
• It was Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation takeover day in the Fanzone and on the concourses so hopefully everyone managed to dip into their pocket to support this incredible organisation. Thank you to everyone at the Foundation for all you do for our community!

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The SheGulls Podcast – where we will discuss the Chelsea and Liverpool games in more detail and preview our upcoming game against Leicester – will be live tonight (Monday) @ 9pm on YouTube – and available subsequently on demand by clicking on the ‘Live’ tab on the channel menu.

Audio of the entire episode will then be released on Wednesday at 1pm via Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

See you all soon!