By: Shane Brennan.
Liverpool travelled to The Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face Brighton and Hove Albion, hoping to put the pressure right back on Manchester City ahead of their game with Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
The first real significant opportunity of the game came Liverpool’s way, when Trent Alexander-Arnold played in Mohamed Salah to set up Sadio Mane, but the Senegal international could not squeeze the ball past Robert Sanchez in the Brighton net.
Then came a real moment of pure bravery from Liverpool’s newest signing, as Joel Matip played a long, high ball in over the top of the Seagulls defence, Sanchez came flying out of his goal to meet Luis Diaz, and the Colombian international ended up smashing into the Brighton stopper, whilst giving The Reds the lead, from a quite stunning header in the circumstances, just before the half way point of the first half.
Then Liverpool threatened to add to their advantage, as Andy Robertson lashed the ball forward for Salah to chase, he beat Yves Bissouma in the foot race all ends up, but he could not get past Sanchez , as The seagulls tried to keep Liverpool in their sights.
At the very start of the second half Brighton had an almighty chance to drag themselves back into the game as Leandro Trossard played in Neal Maupay, he returned the favour to Trossard, who had the chance to have a clear shot on goal, but he could only blaze his shot high and wide, as Liverpool hung on to their precious lead.
Then it was Alexander-Arnold’s turn to set up Salah for a strike on goal, the Egyptians shot deflected off Lewis Dunk and looped up onto the crossbar and came back out again, as The Reds were proving for their second goal, but it wasn’t to be on that occasion.
Thankfully they hadn’t to wait much longer, as Diaz worked his magic once again confusing the Brighton defence, as he got his cross in, which was half cleared away, but the ball only fell for Naby Keita, who smashed the ball towards goal, Bissouma had his arms raised, and that left Mike Dean with no other option but to award Liverpool a penalty. Salah gleefully stepped up to stick the ball past Sanchez into the middle of the goal to give Liverpool a comfortable advantage.
It was Alisson Becker’s turn to be called into action next as Solly March set up Danny Welbeck in the middle, who got a fantastic shot away, but this was equally matched by a super Alisson save ,as The Mighty Reds kept their two goal lead intact.
Liverpool looked to finish off the day with a third goal, as Thiago Alcantara picked out a mighty pass, which found Diaz, he ran through on goal with only Sanchez to beat, but unfortunately the Brighton stopper was up to the task again to spare The Seagulls blushes on that occasion.
It was Liverpool’s day on the South Coast as they ran out winners by two goals to Nil. Up next for Liverpool is a trip to London to face Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
