Liverpool returned to winning ways with a second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah enough to see the Reds through a resilient Brighton side. The result means Klopp’s side are now seven points clear at the top, with Manchester City playing Wolves on Monday night.
Here are the ratings from the match.
Alisson – 6
Didn’t have a save to make in the first-half given Liverpool’s dominance in possession, but coped well with anything thrown at him as Brighton tried to respond after Salah’s penalty. Another solid afternoon’s work.
Alexander-Arnold – 7
Got forward well, spraying crosses into the box to threaten the Brighton defence. A key outlet to have given the home side’s decision to defend in numbers and could’ve had an assist to his name but for wayward control from Sadio Mané.
Fabinho – 8
Showed his experience filling in at centre-back alongside Van Dijk, reading the game intelligently to prevent Brighton from getting much joy going forward. Made a brilliant interception to stop Gross from getting a shot off on goal and was alert throughout. A really solid option to have in defence.
Van Dijk – 7
Another solid performance, dealing well with a new centre-back partner. Long balls are his bread and butter – and it showed. A great, assertive figure to have in cagey games such as these.
Robertson – 7
Much like Trent, he proved a useful outlet down the flank, providing his usual threatening crosses into the box. Did his defensive duties well.
Henderson – 7
Struggled to make inroads in the first-half with sluggish, pedestrian passing failing to stretch a well disciplined Brighton defence. However, deserves credit for the way he responded in the second-half, working his way into the game. Battled well, driving forward in possession to push his team forward.
Wijnaldum – 7
Very much the stop gap for Liverpool, filling in when his teammates were venturing forward on the attack. Had to cover for Henderson a few times in the first-half and showed calmness in possession, albeit lacking any penetrating passes. Could’ve scored in the last ten minutes.
Shaqiri – 6
Another relatively quiet afternoon for the Swiss international, much like at Molineux. Could’ve scored when his flicked header went just wide of the mark but failed to showcase his usual verve in possession such was the diligence of the home team.
Salah – 7
Really lively, particularly in the second-half where he came out with bags of energy, pressing the ball all across the park and forcing Liverpool to up the tempo. Brought down by Gross in the box to gain the crucial penalty that ensured Liverpool the three points, smashing the ball into the back of the net. Interestingly, of the last ten Premier League penalties taken by left-footed players, six failed to score. The four scored have all come from yours truly.
Mané – 7
Solid afternoon’s work, showing composure in possession as he tried to pick out his teammates in dangerous areas. His final ball was lacking on occasion, failing to play in Xherdan Shaqiri for a good opportunity before the interval and could’ve extended the scoreline in the second forty-five but for a deflection.
Firmino – 7
Worked tirelessly as ever, forcing pressure high up the pitch. Another afternoon in which he failed to find the net but his contribution will certainly have been noted by Klopp.
