Liverpool 2 Brighton 1
Jurgen Klopp’s side welcomed Brighton to Anfield, knowing that victory would take them back to the top of the table before Man City and Arsenal had even kicked a ball. It was a packed-house at Anfield with the kind of electric atmosphere we have come to expect.
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with replacing the German at the end of the season, after Xabi Alonso had taken himself out of the running by committing his future to Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, this now acted as some form of interview for the Italian manager.
The Seagulls had obviously not read the script for how the day was to pan out. Adingra was causing problems for Bradley and made a run down the left wing before looking for Welbeck. The Liverpool defence managed to get a foot in but as the ball broke, it deflected straight back into his path.
Welbeck struck a sweet shot into the far corner with only ninety seconds on the clock to silence Anfield. Man Utd fans up and down the country will have celebrated, seeing their former striker deal a huge blow to Liverpool’s title challenge.
Credit: @premierleague
That said, so would Arsenal fans after Welbeck had spent some time at The Emirates before joining Brighton. The goal had silenced Anfield and all that could be heard was the away end as fans celebrated, making their long trip from the south coast seem worth it.
As The Reds searched for an equaliser, Bradley cut in from the right wing to find Salah in the box. The Egyptian forward cut onto his favoured left peg, trying to bend one in the top corner. His effort did not miss the target by much but most expected to see the net bulge as he let fly.
Mac Allister was making things tick in the middle of the park for Liverpool. He clipped a ball over the top for Salah but his volley went high into the stands. Bradley then drove into the box before laying it off to the forward but he snatched at the shot, trying to use his left foot instead of right and dragged it wide.
The home fans were beginning to feel frustrated as it seemed to not be happening for them. As for their side on the pitch, they did not panic and continued to create chances. Jurgen Klopp’s side often gave the Brighton defence too much time and space on the ball.
When Klopp’s side press defences high up the pitch, no one can cope with their industry. But on this occasion, it was all too rare to see them doing this. When they did, Brighton looked sloppy in defence. When they didn’t, they made Dunk look like Maldini.
Apparently in the Premier League now, only the captain can confront the referee. David Coote seemed to forget this as the Brighton players continuously surrounded him like Seagulls around a discarded tray of chips.
Credit: @premierleague
The Reds forced a corner and as the ball was half-cleared, it was headed back into the box by Salah. Veltman tried to clear but could only slice it towards goal, where Diaz ghosted in to poke the ball past Verbruggen to equalise for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Brighton surrounded the referee demanding the goal be disallowed. Unacceptable really as VAR will always check the goal. Diaz was clearly onside and goal was given. Coote failed to book any players for their actions in surrounding him so aggressively. One of the poorest of the league’s poor officials.
De Zerbi’s side broke down the left flank once again as Adingra fed it into the path of Welbeck. He strode into the box and went for goal from a tight angle but could only find the side netting. A further warning for Liverpool.
All too often the hosts could be blamed for trying to pass the ball into the net when sometimes, the situation requires you to just put your foot through it. Early in the second half, a cross into the box found Mac Allister, but his flicked header dropped narrowly wide of the far post.
Liverpool continued to press and Nunez cut onto his right foot and shot from a tight angle but it was straight at Verbruggen who blocked the effort. Szoboszlai then threaded a pass to Mac Allister who spotted the run of Salah in the box.
The Argentine picked him out with a sublime pass, with the Egyptian taking one touch to set himself, before stroking the ball into the far corner. Anfield erupted as they finally took the lead in the game in the 65th minute to go top of the table.
Nunez then broke through the middle before being scythed down. The ball broke to Salah and advantage was played. He threaded a pass into the path of Diaz, who tucked it in between the legs of the Brighton keeper to double their lead. Sadly, the assistant immediately raised his flag for offside.
As the players waited for the VAR review, it confirmed that the Columbian was fractionally off. The Seagulls continued to counter and forced a corner. As it was cleared, The Reds broke with pace and Salah shot straight at the keeper when he should have squared it to Diaz to tap home.
It was a nervy end to the game as Liverpool had failed to put the game to bed. A Dunk header tested Kelleher as he tipped the effort around the post. Then the hosts gave the ball away and Lallana had the chance to draw his side level but he dragged it wide of the far post. Big chance.
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