Liverpool vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Mo Salah goal sends Red top of the table

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton: Jurgen Klopp’s men move three points clear of Arsenal and regain top spot

'These are all finals' - Klopp on Liverpool's title run-in

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table with a battling comeback victory over Brighton at Anfield.

The visitors ignited a superb contest inside the opening two minutes as Danny Welbeck latched onto a loose ball inside the Liverpool box to fire Brighton into the lead.

That goal spurred Liverpool into an aggressive response and they camped themselves inside Brighton’s half desperately chasing a leveller. It came through Luis Diaz who darted into space from a corner and turned Mo Salah’s header, flicked on by Joel Veltman’s poor clearance, into the back of the net.

The second half was no less entertaining. Liverpool on the attack, Brighton countering but the difference came from the hosts’ talisman. Alexis Mac Allister fed a short pass into the box, Salah ran into space to collect. He took a touch then curled the ball into the back of the net.

Brighton increased the tempo of their own play but they were unable to claw back the deficit and Jurgen Klopp’s men secured a vital three points.

Relive the action from Liverpool v Brighton below:

Liverpool v Brighton

• Roberto De Zerbi fails Anfield audition as Mohamed Salah continues Liverpool’s title charge
• Liverpool defeat Brighton at Anfield thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah
• The Reds go top of the Premier League with victory
• 90’ SAVE! - Verbruggen denies Salah from inside the box (LIV 2-1 BHA)
• 71’ DISALLOWED! - Diaz is offside after finishing off Salah’s pass (LIV 2-1 BHA)
• 65’ GOAL! - Salah sends Liverpool into the lead (LIV 2-1 BHA)
• 54’ CLOSE! - Mac Allister nods one wide of the target (LIV 1-1 BHA)
• 27’ GOAL! - Diaz volleys in the equaliser (LIV 1-1 BHA)
• 9’ CLOSE! - Salah’s curling effort goes wide (LIV 0-1 BHA)
• 2’ GOAL! - Welbeck rattles Brighton into the lead (LIV 0-1 BHA)

[31 March 2024 16:05 · Mike Jones]

FT Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

Salah had 11 shots in today’s game, the most he has had in a league match for Liverpool.

(REUTERS)

[31 March 2024 16:01 · Mike Jones]

FT Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

Mo Salah has been involved in 15 Premier League goals against Brighton (9 goals, 6 assists), his most versus a single opponent.

Indeed, the only Liverpool player with more goals and assists against a side in the competition is Steven Gerrard vs Newcastle (16 - 8 goals. 8 assists).

[31 March 2024 15:57 · Mike Jones]

Full-time! Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

90+6 mins: Those stoppage time minutes were tense and filled with nervous moments for Liverpool but whistle goes and the Reds claim all three points.

This win could prove crucial at the end of the season but for now Liverpool move three points clear at the top of the table.

[31 March 2024 15:53 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

90+3 mins: There are six minutes of added time to play.

Danny Welbeck bursts into the box from the right but blazes a shot into the wrong side of the goal.

[31 March 2024 15:51 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

90 mins: Save! That is world class from Bart Verbruggen.

Harvey Elliott is played into the byline and manages to cut the ball through the box to pick out Mo Salah. He controls the ball and shoots but the Brighton goalkeeper leaps to the right and palms the ball away at full stretch to deny Salah a second goal.

[31 March 2024 15:46 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

86 mins: The minutes are ticking away and the nerves are increasing for the Liverpool fans. They all know and understand the value of three points today.

It could be the difference between ending the day top of the table or not.

[31 March 2024 15:44 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

83 mins: Harvey Elliott comes onto the pitch for Liverpool replacing Darwin Nunez. Simon Adingra and Jakub Moder head off for Brighton with Evan Ferguson and Adam Lallana replacing them.

Liveprool swing in a corner that Elliott gets on the end of. He nods the ball to the back post where Ferguson controls the ball and boots it away.

Two substitutes into the action immediately.

[31 March 2024 15:42 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

80 mins: Into the last 10 minutes now and Brighton win a free kick. The ball is whipped into the penalty area and lands on the head of Lewis Dunk who nods the ball into the ground.

Caoimhin Kelleher scrambles across and turns the ball out for a corner.

[31 March 2024 15:37 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

77 mins: A counter attack from Liverpool sees Luis Diaz sprint forward with the ball before slotting it across to Mo Salah. Salah drives into the penalty area and fires a shot straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

[31 March 2024 15:35 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

74 mins: Liverpool do look vulnerable in defence, especially on their right side where Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah are operating in partnership.

That’s been where Brighton’s main attacking focus has come from. The visitors win a corner but Liverpool handle it well.