Liverpool produced a clinical first-half display to see off high-flying Brighton at a breezy Anfield, with an own goal and a strike from Alexander Isak securing a 2-0 win that moves the Reds back into the top four.
Pascal Gross inadvertently turned into his own net to give the Reds the lead before Isak doubled their advantage in a four-minute burst to clip the Seagulls' wings. Brighton huffed and puffed but could not find their scoring boots despite plundering 23 goals in their previous seven Premier League matches.
Clinical First-Half Display
It was the visitors who had the first big chance as Yasin Arayi squandered a golden opportunity. Diego Gomez played in Pascal Gross whose pull-back fell perfectly into the path of Ayari, but he blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Liverpool hit the front just three minutes later. Ronald Araujo showed grit and tenacity to jump up after being fouled, then fed Florian Wirtz whose wayward strike hit Gross and deflected past Bart Verbruggen. The lead was soon doubled as Bradley Barcola pressed full-back Olivier Boscagli to win the ball high up the pitch, crossing to Isak who finished exquisitely.
Alisson was almost punished for a careless pass out from the back 10 minutes before the break, Ayari striking the post. Araujo then went close for Liverpool but was thwarted by Verbruggen.
Brighton Fail to Find a Way Through
Brighton had the better of the second half but could not find a way through as Liverpool saw out the closing stages with relative ease. The result takes the Reds back into the top four, a point behind the Seagulls and six off pace setters Manchester City and Arsenal.
Araujo's Immediate Impact
Some of Liverpool's recruitment has been questioned in the last couple of seasons, but Ronald Araujo has had an immediate positive impact at Anfield. The 27-year-old arrived from Barcelona in the summer on an initial season-long loan deal with an option to buy next summer for around £47 million. On current form, that looks a bargain.
He was imperious here, especially in the first half. Araujo played a pivotal role in the first goal, driving forward and refusing to be stopped despite being fouled to provide Wirtz whose drive was deflected into the Brighton net. He could have had his first Premier League goal just before the break, bursting onto the ball and striking crisply on the angle, only to see his effort saved by Verbruggen.
A New Front Three Emerging
Barcola was always likely to prove himself a pivotal signing for Liverpool for years to come, and there are already signs of a new, exciting front three emerging at Anfield. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino established themselves as the Reds' holy trinity and fired them to success at home and on the continent.
Now Cody Gakpo, Isak and Barcola are bidding to follow in their footsteps. It's early days and they're unlikely to reach the heights of their predecessors, but there were encouraging moments from all three here, with Barcola setting up Isak for Liverpool's second goal and Gakpo a constant threat on the left. Gakpo was the subject of interest from Manchester City in the summer and now looks a key cog in Andoni Iraola's side.
Hurzeler Speculation
While this was a disappointing afternoon for Brighton, more pressing developments for their future might just have taken place 30 miles along the East Lancs Road. Manchester United were humbled 3-0 by Bournemouth in a result that piles the pressure on Michael Carrick and may well see him sacked as Red Devils boss.
There will of course be a clutch of candidates to succeed him if he does depart Old Trafford, and one of those looks likely to be Fabian Hurzeler. The 33-year-old has made a huge impact at Brighton and they are still the division's top scorers despite failing to find the net today. The Seagulls sit third and this result in isolation will not worry them. But an approach from United, despite their problems, would surely be difficult for Hurzeler to ignore. Brighton are experts in succession planning, but it would doubtless be a huge blow if the German was to jump ship.
