Liverpool 2 Brighton 1: Reds go top of Premier League after two goals in three second-half minutes seal comeback win
MO SALAH produced the brilliant, signature strike that sent Liverpool to the top after a first half display that was strictly rock-bottom.
For the first 45 minutes Fabian Hurzeler’s side ripped away all the gloss of Arne Slot’s start as Liverpool’s new manager.
Ferdi Kadioglu grabbed a stunning opener, Brighton could have been at least three ahead and the Kop, along with boss Slot, looked on in disbelief for this game could easily have been all over by the break.
But Slot’s players re-emerged as different animals.
Cody Gakpo equalised with a deep cross, Darwin Nunez confusing the issue in the Seagulls box and two minutes later there was Salah, weaving into the box and delivering – just as he had done on 161 previous occasions in his glittering Prem career at Anfield.
Plenty had believed going into this clash that Liverpool’s results since Slot came in had patched over deficiencies, especially in a newly-constructed midfield.
Those theories gained weight during a shockingly passive first-half as their opponents played through them time after time.
They were also sloppy right from the start, Trent Alexander-Arnold carelessly conceding possession in only the third minute.
True enough, Darwin Nunez could have put them ahead shortly afterwards thanks to a moment of individual brilliance.
His spinning flick to get clear on the half-way line was pure Lionel Messi – seriously – and spurted 35 yards before cutting onto his favourite right foot.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
His strike was excellent, too, but Bart Verbruggen read the intent of the enigmatic forward.
But that was about it in a first-half display that was miles below the levels that had taken them so high and so fast since Slot.
The Seagulls were slick, confident, highly organised and ever-ready to hit their opponents on the break.
Exactly that tactic brought them the opener 15 minutes in as Kaoru Mitoma found himself with loads of space on the left flank.
Danny Welbeck luckily flicked the ball across the face of the box but there was nothing fortuitous about Ferdi Kadioglu’s shot.
The Turkish right-back brought in from Fenerbache for £25m this summer ripped it beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to claim his first ever Prem strike.
Even Slot’s attacking machine mainly malfunctioned, Alexander-Arnold over-hitting a simple pass from the edge of the Brighton box to Salah’s frustration.
Brighton only wanted more Reds blood and came so close to spilling it again in the 27th minute.
Midfielder Jack Hinshelwood sent forward a brilliant pass for Georginio Rutter who found himself one-on-one with Kelleher.
The £40m buy from Leeds United stumbled slightly in the heat of the moment, his left footer lacking fire, Alisson’s Republic of Ireland understudy taking centre stage to block.
Kadioglu should then have grabbed his second, the defence all over the place again but he blazed over.
A 20-yard Welbeck free-kick slipped a foot wide of Kelleher’s left hand post.
Slot, surely will have been in shock.
The Kop certainly were, especially when Alexis Mac Allister tripped former Manchester United striker Welbeck, VAR easing their increasing agonies a little by confirming the challenge was just outside the penalty area.
The Argentinian was booked but if there was relief there, Ibrahima Konate picked up what looked like a bad shoulder injury of half-time, Joe Gomez replacing him after the break.
There can’t have been any double Dutch from Slot during that interval when surely he will have been firing rockets around the dressing room.
For his players finally showed all the intensity that had been so sadly lacking, Gomez starting the assault with a header straight at Verbruggen.
Liverpool were now right in the visitor’s faces but Virgil van Dijk wasted a glorious opportunity, moving forward to meet Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross.
Had he met it with his head the score would surely have been levelled but instead the home captain completely messed up with an attempted volley.
Salah suddenly emerged after utter anonymity, Verbruggen reacted bravely to grab at his feet.
But Liverpool had momentum now, Slot adding to it with the fresh legs of Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz.
An equaliser always looked on the cards after Liverpool had found themselves again and Gakpo provided it in the 70th minute.
He rose to meet Gakpo’s deep cross and while he claimed the goal it was granted to the Dutchman, Verbruggen distracted by the striker’s presence.
The stage was set for Anfield’s Egyptian king and the finish he produced was truly majestic.
Jones, who had replaced Mac Allister, drove forward and central defender Jan Paul van Hecke didn’t spot the danger.
He stayed too deep, Salah sprinted at him – and then he was gone, cutting inside to deliver a fabulous strike into the far top corner.