Who is Steven Alzate? Things to know about the Brighton midfielder

Having gone on a 68 game unbeaten streak at Anfield that the Undertaker would've been proud of, defeat to Burnley has become the undoing of Liverpool's flawless home form.

The Burnley blip has been followed up by yet another 1-0 defeat in the Premier League to Brighton, with Steven Alzate slotting home his first Premier League goal for the club and earning the Seagulls their first win at Anfield since 1984.

Did he know all that much about the goal? Admittedly no. But you make your own luck and the 22-year-old can use the fortunate goal to kick on and establish himself as a key player in Graham Potter's midfield for the rest of the season, having clearly impressed the head coach.

Who actually is Steven Alzate though? And what does he bring to Brighton? Here's all you need to know.

1. Already a full international - for Colombia

Despite being born in Camden, London, and playing in England all his life, Alzate represents Colombia at international level with both of his parents being Colombian.

He received his first call up to the Colombian national team in November 2019 and has earned four caps since.

2. A technically gifted and versatile player

Pacy but also comfortable on the ball, Alzate is capable of being deployed in a number of positions which is what makes him an asset to Potter's setup.

A midfielder by trade, Alzate's quality mean that he is also more than capable of playing as a full-back - which Potter has utilised him as recently.

3. Premier League status was earned

Before Brighton, the Colombia international was on the books at Leyton Orient, where hard work is what earned him an eventual first team debut in February 2017.

Alzate signed for Brighton as an 18-year-old in 2017 having been watched closely by Under-23 coach John Rusk, but had to earn his stripes. He was sent on loan to Swindon for a season in 2018, which ended prematurely due to injury.

Since then Alzate has slowly, but surely, worked his way into the first team plans at Brighton.

4. Commendable charity work

There's always plenty of stories telling us how bad footballers can be, but Alzate has a wise head on young shoulders.

He sent funding to Villavicencio, the hometown of his father, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure families could buy groceries.

His brother Lisandro runs a foundation in the city under the Alzate name to help underprivileged children also.

5. Carlos Queiroz is a fan

The man who brought Alzate into the national set-up was Carlos Queiroz - Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man over two spells.

Queiroz worked as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United during the 2002/03 season and returned in 2004, before finally leaving again in 2008 to pursue head coach roles.

Queiroz was 'excited' by Alzate in an interview in 2019 and included him in the national side as a result of his qualities, despite being so young.