FROM ANFIELD – Liverpool moved prime of the Premier League as they got here from behind to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 on Sunday.
The guests took a shock lead with simply 87 seconds gone as Danny Welbeck thrashed in brilliantly on the Kop finish.
Nevertheless, targets from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah in every half ensured the Reds recorded their first win over the Seagulls at Anfield since 2019.
How the sport unfolded
Followers inside Anfield had barely acquired into their seats when Brighton proved that they had been prepared to present Liverpool yet one more uncomfortable afternoon on their very own turf.
Simply 87 seconds had elapsed when the ball sat up kindly for Danny Welbeck on the fringe of the Kop-end field and he thrashed a beautiful first-time end into the nook.
To their credit score, Liverpool responded properly, rapidly placing Brighton beneath strain and making a string of possibilities solely to be thwarted by poor end.
Remarkably, seven of their pictures got here from Mohamed Salah, whose most egregious miss got here when he blasted over from shut vary on the volley.
Nevertheless, the Reds had been finally rewarded when the ball broke to Luis Diaz within the field after Joel Veltman didn’t clear and he produced an unconventional end to degree issues.
Liverpool continued in a lot the identical vein within the second half, and maybe might need acquired annoyed had Brighton held out a little bit longer.
However with 65 minutes on the clock, a second of pure class from Alexis Mac Allister noticed him select Salah within the field, and the Egyptian rifled a end residence.
Regardless of a number of presentable alternatives, the Reds couldn’t add a 3rd, however they noticed off a nervy end to make sure three important factors had been secured.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – 6/10 – Had a quiet afternoon up till he needed to brilliantly tip a Dunk publish across the header. An enormous second.
RB: Conor Bradley – 7/10 – Stood as much as the Adingra take a look at properly and was an absolute menace down the right-hand facet all afternoon.
CB: Jarell Quansah – 8/10 – Dragged everywhere by Brighton’s man-to-man assault however did very well to manage, exhibiting good tempo in addition to composure.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – 7/10 – Not as concerned as Quansah, however led a backline that restricted Brighton impressively.
LB: Joe Gomez – 7/10 – Appeared like he may be focused in possession early within the recreation however grew into issues and placed on a robust efficiency in the long run.
CM: Wataru Endo – 7/10 – Could not at all times get near Brighton’s fast exchanges however battled properly and was courageous in possession.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 8/10 – Labored laborious all through however got here to life in possession within the second half when his drives ahead disorganised Brighton.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 9/10 – Arrange the winner having run the sport from begin to end. How Brighton should want they nonetheless had the Argentine of their midfield.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10 – Took a whopping 12 pictures as Liverpool constantly threatened and, although he might need preferred larger return, will take scoring the winner on the Kop finish.
ST: Darwin Nunez – 6/10 – A quieter efficiency than we’re used to from the Uruguayan, who’s normally a magnet for possibilities. Some good touches in build-up, although.
LW: Luis Diaz – 7/10 – Took a difficult likelihood properly to equalise and was at all times out there to pull Liverpool up the pitch.
Substitutes
SUB: Harvey Elliott (83′ for Nunez) – 7/10
SUB: Cody Gakpo (87′ for Diaz) – 6/10
SUB: Ryan Gravenberch (90′ for Szoboszlai) – 6/10
Subs not used: Adrian, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, James McConnell, Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns.
Supervisor
Jurgen Klopp – 8/10 – Has struggled towards De Zerbi prior to now however acquired it spot on as we speak. The early purpose apart, Liverpool had been dominant.
GK: Bart Verbruggen – 6/10 – Might do little concerning the targets and produced a barely plausible save in harm time to maintain the rating down.
RB: Joel Veltman – 6/10 – Took half in an satisfying battle with Diaz that in all probability ended honours even. Did not provide a lot the opposite means, although.
CB: Jan Paul van Hecke – 6/10 – Appeared in hassle when Liverpool moved the ball rapidly however was composed in possession.
CB: Lewis Dunk – 7/10 – Received nearly all of his duels and used the ball brilliantly to assist Brighton construct from the again.
LB: Pervis Estupinan – 5/10 – Liverpool discovered it too simple to take advantage of the house in behind him and he was not a lot of a risk going the opposite means.
CM: Carlos Baleba – 7/10 – Constantly gained his battles within the centre of the pitch, be that to disrupt Liverpool or spark a fast counter.
CM: Pascal Gross – 7/10 – At all times out there to assist Brighton go the ball via the Liverpool press and a artistic risk together with it.
RW: Tariq Lamptey – 4/10 – His sheer tempo made him an outlet however he did not do sufficient when it comes to getting pictures off or creating possibilities.
AM: Jakub Moder – 5/10 – Did not do sufficient with the promising positions Brighton acquired themselves into.
LW: Simon Adringra – 7/10 – Troubled Liverpool continuously along with his dribbling down the left-hand facet and was at all times an outlet for a fast change of play.
ST: Danny Welbeck – 8/10 – Took his purpose brilliantly and made life so tough for Liverpool along with his little flicks and runs in behind in build-up. Additionally labored his socks off.
Substitutes
SUB: Facundo Buonaotte (68′ for Lamptey) – 5/10
SUB: Adam Lallana (83′ for Moder) – 5/10
SUB: Valentin Barco (92′ for Estupinan) – 5/10
Subs not used: Jason Steele, Igor, Adam Webster, Evan Ferguson, Ansu Fati, Samy Chouchane.
Supervisor
Roberto De Zerbi – 6/10 – Set his staff up in usually thrilling style however was let down by the odd poor efficiency greater than the rest.