Brighton vs Liverpool: Diaz and Salah on target as the Reds win 2-0

Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League fixture at Falmer Stadium on Saturday. Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead in the first quarter before Mohamed Salah doubled the lead from the penalty spot after the hour-mark. It was a comfortable victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side as they dominated the proceedings throughout the 90 minutes. Although Brighton did show some spark in the initial phase of the both the half’s but couldn’t pose a major threat on goal. 

Three points on the south coast ? pic.twitter.com/z61utgy6Qm

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 12, 2022

Brighton made a spirited start to the match as they were keeping the ball possession and were getting into some good positions just like their recent games, but they just don’t seem to be able to get it across the line. Tossard’s effort from outside the box went straight to Alisson. 

Meanwhile Liverpol took a bit of time to get their rhythm, the full-backs weren’t delivering quality balls in the initial phase of the game. But the visitors put their nose in front on 19 minutes when Joel Matip played a brilliant ball from the center-circle to find the run of Diaz , who stooped to head bravely past the onrushing keeper Robert Sanchez and into the net. 

After the goal, Liverpool started to control the proceedings. Trent-Alexander Arnold’s cross found Robertson at the far post but the left-back couldn’t find the back of the net from six yards out. 

Arnold was getting more and more involved as the game progressed as yet another cross from him found Salah inside the box, but the Egyptians header was comfortably collected by Sanchez.

Liverpool went into the break full of confidence while the hosts would consider themselves lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch as Sanchez could have been sent off having whacked Diaz as the Liverpool forward beat him to score the goal. 

Brighton introduced former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana in place of Alzate at the interval. Immediately after the restart, the home side got a golden chance to equalise when Maupay made a darting run down the inside right channel and rolled across for an unmarked Torssard just 12 yards out, but the Belgian couldn’t maintain his composure and blasted over the bar. 

Just like the first half, Brighton started the second brightly but Liverpool absorbed the initial pressure and then extended the lead on 61 minutes. Naby Keita’s shot struck Bissouma’s outstretched arm and the referee pointed to the spot. Salah stepped up and blasted it down the middle. 

Meanwhile, a few minutes after the goal, Salah went down and Klopp wasn’t willing to take any risk and replaced him with Diogo Jota while Thiago Alcantra came on for Keita. Although Brighton made some good moves at the other end, it lacked a cutting edge and the Liverpool defence was able to deal with it. 

The Reds comfortably held on to the two goal lead and secured all three points, taking them to 66 points from 28 games, just three points adrift of the leaders Manchester City.