As Liverpool chase after Manchester City in the title race, there were worse opponents to have than Brighton, who have won just one game against the Reds since 1984.
Jürgen Klopp made three changes to the side that lost to Internazionale in mid-week, with Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcântara and Diogo Jota making way for Jordan Henderson, Naby Keïta and Luis Diaz. Liverpool set up in their usual 4-3-3 formation.
Graham Potter made four changes to the team that lost to Newcastle, as Shane Duffy, Pascal Gross, Jakub Moder and Danny Welbeck stepped aside for Yves Bissouma, Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister and Neal Maupay. Always flexible, Brighton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape.
Brighton started the game well, hitting the ball directly forward to their front four, aiming to overload Liverpool’s backline.
It didn’t take long for Liverpool to take control though. Brighton would push Leandro Trossard and March forward to join Maupay as they punted the ball into attack, however this would leave them ahead of the ball when Liverpool cut it out. With Trossard and March caught up in attack, both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold had space ahead of them to push forward on the ball.
Liverpool soon took the lead. They had been forming a makeshift back three by holding Robertson back alongside the centre-backs on the left, allowing them to stretch out so Joël Matip could pull wide. Matip strode forward on the ball down the right uncontested into the Brighton half, giving him the time and space to get his head up and pick out a pass in behind. He picked out the pass just after Tariq Lamptey checked his shoulder, seemingly wary of the threat of a switch of play to Robertson. Lamptey was on the half-turn, but his hips were facing more forward than backwards, meaning Diaz was away before Lamptey could turn to chase after him. Robert Sanchez sprinted out to sweep, but Diaz got to the ball ages before the Spaniard, nodding it into the empty net before getting clattered by the goalkeeper.
Liverpool had opportunities to extend their lead on the counter, their quick forwards racing in behind Brighton’s backline, but it took until the 60th minute for them to get their second, when Mohamed Salah tucked away a penalty following a handball by Bissouma.
It was an easy win for Liverpool, as Brighton never really threatened and the Reds scored early enough that they didn’t have to put in much work or changes to break Brighton down, pulling them within three points of City.
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