LIVERPOOL 2-0 BRIGHTON: Hugo Ekitike was the hero as the Reds picked up a much-needed win as Mohamed Salah was welcomed back into the team after falling out with Arne Slot
Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah
Hugo Ekitike benefited from Mo Salah's assist for his second
View 5 Images
Hugo Ekitike scored twice as Mohamed Salah returned to the fold and Liverpool hit their stride to ease past Brighton at Anfield. It's been a difficult period for Liverpool, with the Salah saga looming large, but they extended their unbeaten run to five games with some style at Anfield to hint they could be on the way back into form.
Ekitike blasted Liverpool in front inside a minute thanks to some shoddy Brighton defending and a nod-down from Joe Gomez. Alisson had to be alert to deny Diego Gomez one-on-one before Mohamed Salah was summoned from the bench to replace Joe Gomez.
Diego Gomez escaped a red card for a high foot on Florian Wirtz and Brighton nearly equalised after the break when Gomez put a low cross wide and Brian Gruda smashed narrowly past the post.
Ekitike was guilty of spurning two good openings, but made up for it minutes later when he powered in a free header from Salah's deep corner. Brighton continued to create and miss chances, with Mats Wieffer blasting wide, rather than picking out two unmarked team-mates in the six-yard box.
Salah put a relatively straightforward chance over the bar in injury-time after being teed up by Federico Chiesa on the break and overhit a simple pass on another counter-attack, but ultimately it didn't matter for Liverpool. Here are the talking points from Anfield.
1. Fast start
Liverpool knew that a quiet start would mean TV cameras zooming in on their bench to find Salah. They needed to make the football the story and, after one shot of Salah sharing a joke with Andy Robertson, Liverpool jolted proceedings back to the pitch.
Yankuba Minteh made a dreadful attempt at a cross-field clearance, hanging a ball up for Gomez to attack. The Liverpool right-back got there ahead of a token effort from Diego Gomez, nodding down into the heart of the box for Ekitike, who took a touch and smashed a confident finish past Bart Verbruggen.
The goal came after 46 seconds, making it the fastest goal in the Premier League this season. As a statement of intent - and of the togetherness Arne Slot has mentioned constantly this week - it was perfect.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool scores
Hugo Ekitike put Liverpool ahead in the first minute
View 5 Images
2. Salah gets hero's welcome
He was likely to be the main character no matter what happened. But the injury to Joe Gomez saw him thrust into the action much earlier than expected as Slot opted to move Dominik Szoboszlai to right-back and bring on the Egyptian.
The response was loud and clear from the Anfield crowd. Salah getting up from the bench was met by loud cheers and clapping - and a rendition of Salah's famous song followed soon after. He nearly had an assist a minute into his return, but Alexis Mac Allister failed to make the most of his through-ball.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah was immediately in the action after coming on
View 5 Images
3. Konate fighting hard
Perhaps even more than Salah, Ibrahima Konate has been the villain of the piece at Anfield in recent weeks. The centre-back has been erratic, out of position, error-prone and generally all over the place. But Slot has had little option but to keep playing the Frenchman in the hope that he and Virgil van Dijk can rekindle their previously solid partnership.
There were signs here that Konate could be working his way back. The familiar "IBOUUUU" chant was heard from the Kop after a crucial block as things opened up for Brighton winger Minteh on the counter-attack. And another Seagulls' attack was constantly repelled by Konate's head.
Ibrahima Konate blocks a shot from Yakuba Minteh
Ibrahima Konate blocks a shot from Yakuba Minteh
View 5 Images
4. VAR controversy
An action-packed first half came to an end with Florian Wirtz taking Diego Gomez's studs to the stomach. The Paraguay international's foot was clearly high and late, but he was only issued with a yellow card by referee Craig Pawson.
Liverpool clearly felt his challenge warranted a red, but VAR Darren England agreed with his colleague and Gomez escaped. The Premier League Match Centre wrote: "The referee’s call of yellow card to Gomez was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge on Wirtz deemed not to be with excessive force and not serious foul play."
Diego Gomez kicked Florian Wirtz in the stomach
Diego Gomez kicked Florian Wirtz in the stomach
View 5 Images
5. Salah says farewell
It doesn't look like he will be heading for Saudi Arabia in January now. But this will be Salah's final game for Liverpool for some time, as he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations to play for Egypt.
Slot has tried to find ways to play without him of late, using Szoboszlai in the advanced right position. But an injury scare here for the Hungary international perhaps showed they need to be wary of over-using him. With Cody Gakpo unavailable, Alexander Isak and Chiesa appeared off the bench late on, while Rio Ngumoha may be another candidate to step into the void.
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image