The sight of Danny Welbeck rattling Brighton and Hove Albion into a second minute lead was not an ideal start to a crucial period in Liverpool’s season but Jurgen Klopp must have been pleased with how his side reacted.
Liverpool hit 14 shots in the first half at Anfield, including Luis Diaz’s 27th minute equaliser. It was the sort of furious, sustained reaction that has powered their title challenge this season.
And little changed in the second half, with Liverpool — led by the constant probing of Alexis Mac Allister against his former employers — pressurising their opponents. Mohamed Salah, who certainly did not enjoy his most clinical game in a red shirt, duly put Liverpool ahead on 65 minutes with what turned out to be the winning goal.
Here are the key talking points from the game …
How do Liverpool keep pulling off these comebacks?
No Premier League team has won more points from losing positions this season than Liverpool and going back to that well eventually brought another forward step towards the title they covet.
This was the sixth time Liverpool have recorded a comeback victory in 29 league games this season, making them the standout reactive side in a season that looks set to see more comeback wins than any previous Premier League campaign.
Klopp would dearly like to see his side discover more routine victories in the run-in but there is no questioning the resolve of this Liverpool team. Setbacks are seldom terminal and more often than not become the spark for a response.
The visit of Brighton merely extended the pattern. Danny Welbeck’s opening goal came early enough for a reaction and barely saw Liverpool break stride. There were no doubts revealed, especially not once Luis Diaz drew his side level in the first half.
Liverpool were not a polished force in attack but the tempo of their play, driving forward and pinning Brighton back, always promised the winner that eventually came through Mo Salah’s calm finish in front of the Kop.
Another big win and another show of belief once adversity had come along.
Why are Brighton such tough opponents for Liverpool?
There has been something about Brighton to trouble Liverpool in recent years. They continue to be one of Jurgen Klopp’s greatest irritants, something close to a domestic kryptonite.
The seven Premier League meetings that preceded this one had returned just one Liverpool win (in May 2022) and including the FA Cup tie last season, won 3-0 by Brighton, there is a lengthening sequence of struggle.
The early indications were that this would be another awkward challenge for Liverpool. Danny Welbeck’s crisp drive after 87 seconds sent Brighton into an early lead and revealed a vulnerability for Liverpool down their right side. Simon Adingra was a nagging threat for Conor Bradley and Brighton’s style, slick and adventurous on the counter, caused persistent defensive issues.
Liverpool always threatened more, equalising through Luis Diaz midway through the first half, but Brighton were an opponent, once again, not easily subdued by Klopp’s side.
Roberto De Zerbi, the head coach linked with the summer vacancy at Anfield, can certainly point to his recent record against Liverpool as a positive, whatever transpires in the summer.
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Might Salah’s wastefulness prove costly in the run-in?
Question his form and wonder about his sharpness but never fault Mo Salah for his perseverance. Seven attempts on goal, all in the first half, came before the Egyptian emerged as Liverpool’s match-winner in the 65th minute, with a calm finish beyond Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.
It was Salah’s 16th Premier League goal of the season – his 22nd in all competitions – and enough to again elevate the forward for acclaim.
Time and again he has been Liverpool’s goalscoring hero in the last six years but for long periods of this game it was an unusually profligate showing.
Salah needed little encouragement to try his luck as Liverpool’s attacking figurehead but his accuracy was lacking for more than an hour. One tame attempt, straight at Verbruggen, was particularly wasteful.
There were more missed opportunities in the second half as Salah was twice denied by the saves of Verbruggen but an entertaining game’s defining moment belonged to Liverpool’s top scorer.
A deft pass from Alexis Mac Allister, the stylish former Brighton midfielder who shone throughout, picked out the movement of Salah inside the box and a composed finish, with his body opened up, finally got Liverpool noses in front.
But with 12 shots overall in the game — the most by any player in a Premier League game this season and the most Salah has ever recorded in a league game for Liverpool — Klopp will hope that his top scorer rediscovers his clinical edge in the coming weeks.
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
What did Klopp say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Liverpool?
Thursday, April 4: Sheffield United (H), Premier League, 7.30pm BST, 2.30pm ET
