By Jack Read
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table as they once again were forced to come from behind to get a much-needed three points against a stubborn Brighton team at Anfield with the game ending 2-1 to the men in red thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohammed Salah.
Brighton made a lightning-fast start to the game as Danny Welbeck pounced on a rare mistake from Virgil van Dijk who didn’t clear his lines and Welbeck finished emphatically for 1-0 inside 2 minutes, another early goal conceded to leave the crowd shaken and Klopp’s charges in need of a comeback.
The Reds slowly grew into the game over the course of the next 20 minutes with Salah having a few chances in the 15th and 22nd minute but either shot straight at the Brighton goalkeeper or was off target. Darwin Nunez also nearly produced a moment of brilliance as an improvised shot from the floor cannoned off the inside of Bart Verbruggen’s leg and away for a throw-in.
Minutes after Nunez was denied, Diaz latched on a loose ball to poke the ball high into the Brighton net after the Seagulls failed to clear from their corner, levelling the game at 1-1 with 27 minutes gone at Anfield.
Liverpool came out at the start of the second half the brighter of the two teams trying to impose themselves on the visitors in the opening five minutes.
Alexis MacAllister had the first clear chance of the second half as Joe Gomez whipped a delicious cross, but the Argentinian could only glance his header narrowly wide of the post at the Kop end on the 50th-minute mark, a bright start.
NINE GAMES TO GO! LIVERPOOL CAN WIN THIS LEAGUE!
Brighton rarely had any chances to go forward as the Reds continued to dominate proceedings in the second half as Liverpool kept breaking up play and not allowing De Zerbi’s team to get any real rhythm despite their best efforts.
Liverpool continued to pass and probe but to no avail. On the hour mark, Dominik Szoboszlai tried his luck from distance but again the ball was just the wrong side of the post from the home side’s point of view.
A minute later Nunez found himself in behind Brighton, composed himself, but could only find Verbruggen in the way of his explosive effort as the hosts continued to push for a crucial winner.
In the 65th minute, Mohammed Salah finally found his shooting boots as MacAllister threaded a cute ball between the lines of Brighton to find the Egyptian who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Klopp’s title challengers the lead, 2-1.
In the 71st minute, Liverpool thought they had made it 3-1 as Salah played in the Colombian but a late flag and VAR put an end to the celebrations in what was a very tight offside call and the game continued with the Reds holding a nervy one-goal lead.
Brighton had a late flurry of chances from Welbeck and Lewis Dunk in the 82nd and 85th minutes from corners and counter-attacks but neither of the two Englishmen could find a way past Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
MAC ALLISTER’S FORM COULD DECIDE THIS TITLE!
MacAllister’s assist and all-around brilliant performance in the middle of the park for his new team against his former employers earned him the richly deserved Man of the Match in what was another stellar display.
To Klopp’s delight and to the Liverpool fans’ relief, referee David Coote blew his whistle for the last time – and perhaps for the only time receive a cheer all afternoon – to signal Liverpool’s return to the top of the table ahead of Manchester City’s game against Arsenal.
Now Liverpool will look to their mid-week fixture as they return to Anfield to face a struggling Sheffield side who just gave up a two-goal lead against Fulham at home to then draw 3-3.
Player Ratings
XI: Kelleher 7; Bradley 8, Quansah 8, Van Dijk 8, Gomez 7; Wataru Endo 7, Szoboszlai 7, Mac Allister 9; Salah 8, Diaz 8, Nunez 7.
Subs: Elliott 7, Gakpo 6, Gravenberch NA.
Redmen Reacts
Another comeback victory for the ever-resurrecting Reds on Easter Sunday. Whilst it was far from perfect at times against a Brighton side who appear to have a handy knack of causing Klopp’s men serious problems, the three points were all important especially when you factor in what followed at the Etihad.
Nine games to go in the league, players returning from injury, here we go…
WE WILL HAVE EVERY ANGLE COVERED OF THE REDS’ RUN IN HERE!
