Bitter Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler bizarrely claims Liverpool were NOT trying to 'win the game' - after watching his side lose at Anfield

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said there was one team trying to create chances at Anfield after his team fell to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.

A Pascal Gross own goal was followed by Alexander Isak’s sixth strike of the season as Andoni Iraola’s Reds climbed into the top four with their fourth win in a row.

But Hurzeler, whose side missed a sitter through Yasin Ayari at 0-0, praised his team for going toe-to-toe with Liverpool.

‘Everyone in the stadium saw that there was one team who really tried to create and try to win this game and therefore I have to praise my players,’ he said.

‘Everyone in the stadium felt there was a missed opportunity for us, because it's not only after the goal or the goals they scored.

‘Also, before they scored, we had one, two big chances and today I think it was just the difference that they scored, we didn't score.

Fabian Hurzeler said that only his Brighton team were trying to win the game... after they lost to Liverpool

‘Overall I saw a team with a lot of good things to take away. I saw a team that really had the belief in our approach, that stuck to the match plan, that always kept going, and that is very frustrating because we all have the feeling that there is a missed opportunity here today.’

Meanwhile, Iraola praised goal-scorer Isak and said: ‘Yes, Alex, he's a striker (where) if we can put him in those positions, provide him good crosses and good situations, he will score the goals.’

Iraola was also delighted with his side’s defensive battling, especially right back Ronald Araujo. The boss added: ‘I think we all enjoyed watching Ronald fighting. I think he's very good in the duels.

‘Even the first goal, I think he wins two duels in a row, he arrives at the byline and after, it's not an assist, but it's worth an assist. And defensively, I think he's been really, really, really good.’