Hendrick: “He can’t defend to save his life” – Bradley analysed after Brighton loss | OneFootball

Post-Match Raw: Liverpool Lapse to Brighton as Transfer Talks Take Centre Stage

Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Brighton might have stung in seasons past, but in the aftermath of their 20th league title, it felt more like a procession than a post-mortem. In the latest Post-Match Raw from Anfield Index, hosts Trev Downey, Dave Hendrick, and Jim Boardman shared sharp, unsparing reflections on the match, the players, and the wider implications — especially as transfer talks gain prominence ahead of Arne Slot’s first full summer.

Performance Flatlines as Focus Shifts to Future

“If this game had mattered, we’d all sit here and we’d be annoyed about it,” said Hendrick, setting the tone for a post-match discussion less focused on the result and more on individual appraisals. For players still auditioning under Slot, the verdicts were firm.

“Harvey was dreadful today… a non-factor when we didn’t have the ball and didn’t offer enough when we did,” Hendrick observed. Despite a goal and assist, Elliott came under fire for his lack of defensive and positional nous. Similar scrutiny was applied to Kostas Tsimikas, labelled “slovenly” and “all over the show.”

For Conor Bradley, the critique was tactical and technical. “The lad can’t defend to save his life,” said Hendrick, noting his persistent distance from attackers and poor positional sense: “He gives too much space, overcommits, doesn’t stop crosses, doesn’t sweep well, and is always flat-footed.”

Liverpool Lacking Bite While Brighton Capitalise

Downey summarised the defeat as “nonsense,” jokingly opening a beer during the podcast and declaring: “We’ve been taking this show way too seriously for the last two games.”

While Brighton’s young talents impressed — Gruda, Ayari, and Mitoma earned repeated praise — Liverpool’s effort was casual at best. “It felt like our formation was basically two at the back and everybody else just run around and have a bit of fun,” Hendrick said.

Even Mo Salah, who had his chances, was not immune. “He contrives to miss an open goal,” Downey said after one second-half effort. “Mo should have every record under the sun, but the lads have been letting him down.”

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Window Looms Large

As players like Kelleher, Tsimikas, and even Elliott face uncertain futures, Dave Hendrick didn’t shy from predictions. “I think Quansah stays for a year… then we’ll figure it out next summer,” he offered. But also floated the idea of selling him with a buyback clause: “Let him go somewhere for two or three years… then buy him back at a pre-agreed fee.”

Trev Downey was more blunt about others: “I’m just shaking my head looking at Darwin Núñez going, what is the crack here?”

Jim Boardman added context: “We need players we can rely on… I’d rather have an older player who won’t play much, but you know what you’re going to get.”

With the likes of Bradley, Quansah, and Elliott showing signs of inconsistency, the call for experienced reinforcements — particularly in defence — rang clear.

Final Whistle Reflections and Fan Perspective

Despite the loss, the podcast signed off on a celebratory note. “This was Raw,” Downey said, “We’ll talk to you for the last one when we’ll have a trophy to lift — and you can be sure I’ll be on the cans again.”

Boardman summed up the general mood best: “I’m so unannoyed by tonight, I even felt ready to praise the ref at one point.”

As Liverpool pivot from celebrations to recruitment, Anfield Index’s Post-Match Raw offered a grounded reminder that while titles are won in May, they’re built in July.