Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Liverpool 2
Hugo Ekitike scored twice as a revived Liverpool continued the recovery of their Premier League form in a dominant performance at home to Brighton and Hove Albion this afternoon (Saturday 13 December).
The Reds returned to winning ways and moved up to sixth, with two wins and two draws from their four most recent matches – in addition to the 1-0 victory against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
It was the reverse for Brighton, with a second defeat in three games, leaving the club without a win since taking all three points against Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago.
Today, Brighton were stunned when Ekitike scored in the first minute, latching on to a pass inside the box and sending the ball thundering into the top of the net.
With just under 10 minutes played, former Albion midfield Alexis Mac Allister almost doubled Liverpool’s lead but Bart Verbruggen dived superbly to keep out the low shot.
Diego Gomez tested Alisson in the Liverpool goal with 14 minutes on the clock but the Brazil keeper was alive to the threat.
Ekitike had at least three more decent chances but the 23-year-old France striker sent one high and two more wide.
Midway through the first half, Joe Gomez went down in pain and the injured defender was replaced by Mo Salah, with talk that this could be the prolific scorer’s last match for the club.
The hosts dominated possession but Brighton pushed forward in first-half stoppage time, with Brajan Gruda and Yankuba Minteh both trying to prise an opening.
Ekitike roared forward after the interval and sent a forceful shot narrowly wide.
The Seagulls counter-attacked and Mats Wieffer sent a cracking pass into the path of Gomez. The 22-year-old Paraguay international shot from inside the box but the ball went just the wrong side of the post.
Five minutes later, Brajan Gruda beat his marker and fired from the edge of the area but the ball went inches wide.
The two sides appeared to be become more evenly matched after the break but it was Liverpool who took their chances.
Salah forced a terrific save from Verbruggen on the hour and earned the corner – and took the corner – that led to the Reds’ second goal. Ekitike was unmarked and able to head the ball home with some precision.
Gruda gave way to Kaoru Mitoma, on as a sub after 65 minutes, and Yasin Ayari came on for Carlos Baleba who had made little impression on the match.
Moments later, Mitoma had his first chance since being injured against Chelsea at the end of September but his shot went wide.
With 15 minutes to play, Ekitike threatened again but his goalmouth pass was well defended. Shortly afterwards, he went off for Alexander Isak.
On the counter-attack, Wieffer had a wonderful chance but could only blast the all just over the bar.
Three minutes from time, the former Liverpool and England midfielder James Milner came on for Diego Gomez.
But even the Anfield legend, who turns 40 next month, was unable to turn things around for the Seagulls although they pressed and pressed.
Ferdi Kadioglu picked up a pass on the edge of the box in the 90th minute but it was a disappointing effort, flying well wide.
Salah had the best chances in stoppage time, running on to a well-placed pass from Federico Chiesa before firing the ball just over the bar. He also tried to play in a pass that Verbruggen intercepted.
Ayari and Minteh played in speculative passes too but they came to nothing as the resurgent Reds held on, with a last chance falling to Charalampos Kostoulas, on as a sub.
His goalbound blast was blocked, in keeping with what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for a Brighton side that once again lacked penetration.
While Liverpool go sixth, with 26 points from 16 games, Brighton slip to ninth, still on 23 from 16.
Next Saturday, the Seagulls host Sunderland, currently 10th, with 23 points from 15 matches, and behind Brighton only on goal difference.
