A quickfire double from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool come from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 at Anfield to move top of the Premier League.
2024/2025 Premier League
2-1
Match Report
Arne Slot saw his side score two goals in three minutes in the second half after Ferdi Kadioglu put Brighton ahead early on.
Seeking revenge for their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to the same opposition, Brighton dominated the early stages. Kadioglu's breakthrough goal was one that involved 21 passes before he drilled his side into the lead with just 13 minutes played.
The visitors continued to trouble Liverpool in the first half who appeared to struggle to gain any kind of control as Brighton pillaged their back four. Georginio Rutter came close to doubling the Seagulls' lead before the hour mark but drew out a vital one-on-one save from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Goalscorer Kadioglu nearly netted his second as Brighton broke with Liverpool's defence back peddling but he watched his volley on the back post flash over the bar after meeting a chipped Mitoma cross.
As the first half drew to a close, a rare Liverpool first-half attack saw Ibrahima Konate fall heavily during a corner kick and forced off during the interval with his arm tucked into a makeshift sling.
After the break, Liverpool swung the momentum finding rhythm in their passing as they searched for an equaliser. All of a sudden, Bart Verbruggen found himself very much involved in the Brighton net, keeping out Alexis Mac Allister with a reaction save minutes after the restart.
Following continued Liverpool pressure, Gakpo followed up his brace in midweek, with the leveller before Salah whipped in the winning goal.
Victory for Liverpool means they find themselves top of the league two points ahead of Manchester City who suffered defeat at Bournemouth. Defeat for Brighton denied them a place in the top four and leaves them in seventh.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Nunez's shot in the box save by the keeper
14' Kadıoğlu puts visitors in lead! Liverpool 0-1 Brighton
22' Welbeck's shot in the box saved by Kelleher
26' Salah's attempt stopped by the keeper
28' Rutter's shot saved by Kellher as Ayari passes
35' Kadioglu's right footed attempt in the box off the bar
41' Welbeck's free kick just wide
45' Mac Allister foul but not booked
46' Konate off due to injury, Gomez on
47' Konate's arm get injured
47' Gomez's header saved by the keeper
53' Mac Allister's header saved by the keeper
54' Van Dijk misses the chance as he failed to kick the ball
57' Salah's shot stopped by goalkeeper
66' Luiz Diaz & Jones on, Mac Allister & Szoboszlai on
69' Cody Gakpo equalizes for Reds! Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
72' Reds comeback just in 3 MINUTES as Salah scores! Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
77' Endo on, Nunez off
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Salah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Darwin Núñez, Gravenberch
Subs: W. Endo, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Luis Díaz, Curtis Jones, Vitezslav Jaros, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Tyler Morton
Brighton XI: Welbeck, Veltman, Pervis Estupiñán, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Igor, Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter, Jan Paul van Hecke, Bart Verbruggen, Yasin Ayari, Jack Hinshelwood
Subs: Steele, Jakub Moder, Tariq Lamptey, Mats Wieffer, Julio Enciso, Evan Ferguson, Simon Adingra, Carlos Baleba, Brajan Gruda