Mo Salah marked his Liverpool return with an assist as the Reds secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield.
Hugo Ekitike was at the double for a second time in as many games to ensure Arne Slot’s side made it five matches unbeaten in all competitions and moved up to sixth in the Premier League table.
Salah, omitted from Liverpool’s squad for the 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan after claiming he had been ‘thrown under a bus’, came off the bench earlier than expected to a rousing reception, and made an impact as he picked out Ekitike to double the advantage. Ekitike had opened the scoring inside a minute of kick-off as the Reds won at Anfield for the first time in more than a month.
Liverpool vs Brighton match report
Liverpool made a dream start and it took them just 49 seconds to break the deadlock. Joe Gomez bravely won a header deep in Brighton territory and the ball fell to Ekitike inside the box, who took one touch before hammering a shot beyond visiting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
To Brighton’s credit, they mustered a decent response as Yankuba Minteh flashed an effort narrowly wide before Diego Gomez beat the Reds’ offside trap but he was denied by a fine save from Alisson Becker in the hosts’ goal.
Liverpool then asserted their dominance and Ekitike had three opportunities to increase the advantage but failed to hit the target with each of them.
Ekiitke had another couple of efforts that he failed to capitalise on in the second half, again failing to test Verbruggen. And had Brighton been more clinical, they woul dhave been level but Gomez spurned a shot wide from close range while Brajan Gruda also couldn’t hit the target. And on the hour mark, Liverpool punished the Seagulls’ misses as Ekitike deservedly doubled his tally. Salah whipped in a corner to the back post and Ekitike was left unmarked to head home with aplomb.
Liverpool defended relatively comfortably for the rest of the game and in stoppage-time, Salah was presented with a golden chance to get himself on the scoresheet. A swift counter resulted in Federico Chiesa picking out Salah inside the box but the winger failed to keep his shot down.
Liverpool’s third all-time top scorer applauded all four stands at the final whistle amid uncertainty over his long-term future. Salah will now head off to the African Cup of Nations with Egypt, although it remains intriguing what will happen beyond that with the January transfer window around the corner.
Liverpool player ratings vs Brighton
1. Alisson Becker - 7
Made an excellent save from Gomez in distribution was sound in the first half. Didn't have a save to make after the interval despite Brighton going close a couple of times but was a commanding presence. | Getty Images
2. Joe Gomez - 7
Displayed bravery to avoid a high boot and win the header that assisted Ekitike's open. Then showed strength in abundance to get to the byline and pull a cross back for Ekitike, who skied his shot. However, there was the familiar sight of Gomez sustaining an injury and he had to be withdrawn in the 26th minute. | Getty Images
3. Ibrahima Konate - 8
Made two big blocks in the first half and didn't put a foot wrong. Did enough to put off Gomez at the back post and defended with aggression, although a late foul earned him a booking. | Getty Images
4. Virgil van Dijk - 8
Charged down a Minteh shot in the first half and was pretty much impeccable. Much the same in the second half. | Getty Images