Liverpool came into the game needing to get their winning ways back on track following their disappointing draw to Napoli midweek. The league leaders faced Brighton who had lost their last two games.
Brighton had the first chance of the game when Virgil Van Dijk intercepted Pascal Gross’ effort with Dejan Lovren nodding the ball away at the near post.
The home side would come closest to scoring in the early exchanges when a one-two between Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah saw Salah’s shot hit the side netting.
Liverpool continued pressing the Brighton goal, keeper Matthew Ryan was called upon to make a good save to deny Firmino.
All the pressure the hosts had been piling on finally resulted in a goal after Trent Alexander’s ball in found the head of Virgil Van Dijk who powered his header home to make it 1-0.
The Reds kept the pressure on after their goal Ryan being called upon to make save after save denying first Firmino’s effort, then Sadio Mane.
However, Ryan could do nothing to stop Van Dijk getting his second. Alexander-Arnold’s corner found the Dutch man again to make it 2-0.
After all the madness going forward from Liverpool the game would slow into a rhythm.
The next big chance came from Brighton who should have pulled one back through their center back Lewis Dunk but his effort is wide.
The first half came to a close with the league leaders leading 2-0 both sides best chances coming through their center backs.
The second half got underway.
Brighton won a corner and the header at goal from Dunk flashed wide of Alisson Becker’s goal.
The away side had not given up the fight despite the score line, Aaron Connolly’s strike was held by Alisson as Brighton pushed for a goal.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came perilously close to making it 3-0 after Andrew Robertson won the ball up near the Brighton box his cross found Chamberlain who’s powered effort is deflected wide.
It was so close to a hat-trick for Van Dijk after Chamberlains cross found him, his chance for a third was scuppered however when the ball was cleared just before he could shoot.
In what could only be described as one of the most bizarre red cards in Premier League history, Alisson was sent off for handling the ball outside the box.
Adrian replaced him but the resulting free kick completely caught him out as Dunk just passed the ball into the net making it 2-1.
Brighton’s goal set up a nervous final ten minutes something the Anfield faithful had come to expect this season.
Aaron Mooy’s shot was beaten away by Adrian. The away side had grown in confidence since the red card, they continued to push hard for an equalizer.
A game that looked over at half time was far from over with two minutes to go, a tame effort at goal should have been comfortably held by Adrian but he has to scramble to recover after dropping the ball at Neal Maupay’s feet.
Liverpool managed to see out the four minutes of stoppage time to win the game 2-1.
The result is Liverpool’s seventh 2-1 of the season and they move 11 points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Author-Zweifüssler
Picture From Wikimedia Commons
Uploaded by BaldBoris
