Liverpool 2–0 Brighton: Ekitike Double and Salah Return Lift Reds at Anfield

Liverpool claimed a vital three points and a clean sheet as they beat Brighton at Anfield, with Hugo Ekitike scoring twice and Mohamed Salah making a decisive return from the bench.

Salah was again left out of the starting line-up but named among the substitutes, while the afternoon also marked Virgil van Dijk’s 250th appearance for the club all of which have come as a starter.

Liverpool took the lead within seconds of kick-off. Brighton failed to clear their lines and Joe Gomez won a header just outside the box, which fell kindly for Ekitike. The French striker took one touch before calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to give the hosts a first-minute advantage. It was Liverpool’s earliest Premier League goal since Naby Keïta scored after 15 seconds against Huddersfield in April 2019.

Brighton responded well and threatened an equaliser midway through the first half. Alisson was required to make a superb intervention, racing from his line to deny Diego Gómez after the midfielder was played through by Simon Adingra’s reverse pass.

Liverpool were forced into an early change on 26 minutes when Gomez, whose minutes have been carefully managed by Arne Slot, was unable to continue. His withdrawal led to an unexpected introduction for Salah, marking his return to the side after recent omissions.

The hosts went into the break with a 1–0 lead, though Brighton had enjoyed spells of pressure and looked capable of finding a way back into the contest.

Ekitike doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the second half, scoring his second of the afternoon from a Salah corner. The delivery curled to the far post and the striker rose highest to power a header into the net. The assist moved Salah onto 277 Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool (188 goals, 89 assists) — a new record for a single club in the competition, overtaking Wayne Rooney’s tally for Manchester United.

Both sides continued to create chances and the match remained open, with opportunities at either end suggesting more goals could have followed. Liverpool remained solid defensively, while Brighton tested them without finding a breakthrough.

Liverpool saw out the closing stages to secure all three points and a clean sheet, lifting them back up to sixth in the Premier League and offering much-needed hope of a turning point in their form.

The result also brought some closure to a week dominated by speculation surrounding Salah’s future and his public comments about his relationship with Slot. His impact off the bench and the reaction at full-time shifted the focus back onto the pitch ahead of his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations.