Liverpool have returned to the top of the Premier League after beating Brighton 2-1 at Anfield, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s goal in the second half.
The Reds claimed their first win over the Roberto De Zerbi-led Seagulls, but suffered an early blow and the visitors took the lead.
Danny Welbeck scored the first goal in the first two minutes of the game, before Luis Díaz pounced to draw the hosts level before the break.
Jurgen Klopp’s men launched a second-half attack on the Brighton goal and were eventually rewarded when Mo Salah scored the winning goal to return Liverpool to top spot.
Here, Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt has given his expert player ratings…
Mo Salah greets the crowd after scoring the goal that returned Liverpool to the top
Jurgen Klopp embraces man linked to succeed him next season in Roberto De Zerbi
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Liverpool (4-3-3)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
The game had barely started and his first action was to take the ball out of his goal. There was absolutely nothing I could do about Danny Welbeck’s first goal. He made a brilliant diving save to keep away Lewis Dunk’s header with 10 minutes remaining.
Joe Gomez – 7
Set the tone early with a strong body check on Tariq Lamptey. He beat the Brighton man on the left. Reserved.
Virgil van Dijk – 6.5
He was furious when he was booked for a pull by Carlos Baleba but he barely made a mistake and today was no exception. However, only one clean sheet in his last 12 games at Anfield will worry him.
Virgil van Dijk was at his best as he led by example in Liverpool’s victory over Brighton.
Jarrell Quansah – 7.5
He was dragged in and out of position by the rapid interplay of Simon Adingra and Danny Welbeck, but showed his maturity to dominate thereafter. It is a real advantage when it comes to occupying positions in the midfield.
Conor Bradley – 7
He loves to get forward and should have scored in a frenetic first half in which Liverpool managed 14 shots. He struggled early on to limit Adingra’s influence, but grew into the fray and looked a constant threat.
Wataru Endo – 6
There’s a lot to like about watching Endo, given that he rarely makes many of the headlines. He often dropped so deep that he created a back three with Van Dijk and Quansah on either side. Side Quarterback. Reserved.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
Clean and tidy, but it can also be heavy and its influence on this game was minimal for the most part.
Alexis MacAllister – 8
Not that he needs much incentive, but he looked good in this game against his former club. He played a stunning pass for Mohamed Salah to put Liverpool in front. Reserved.
Alexis Mac Allister shows his former club what they are missing by being one of the breakout stars
It was Luis Díaz who got his team into the game with the tie before halftime.
Mo Salah was Liverpool’s man again, scoring the winning goal in the second half for the Reds.
Luis Diaz – 7.5
They reacted quicker to draw Liverpool level when Joel Veltman’s clearance returned to the six-yard box. A pest that rose and fell with his overflowing energy and that was millimeters away from scoring his second, and Liverpool’s third, midway through the second half.
Darwin Núñez – 5.5
Very frustrating in your decision making. Guilty of slowing down the game and getting your pocket picked when there are too many options. He wanted a penalty early in the game but David Coote wouldn’t take it.
Mohamed Salah – 7.5
He took seven shots in the first half, the most of any player in 45 minutes this season, in what was his first Premier League start since New Year’s Day. In the end he got the goal that his performance deserved. Another day he scored a hat-trick.
Coach – Jürgen Klopp 7
He was furious with David Coote’s officiating, but did what he always does: whip up a frenzy in the crowd to feed his players. As valuable as any of his stars on the field.
SUBS
Harvey Elliott (by Darwin Núñez, 82) – 6
Cody Gakpo (by Luis Díaz, 88) – N/A
BRIGHTON (4-4-2)
Bart Verbruggen – 7
He irritated the home fans within minutes by taking an age on each goal kick. He seemed to be under strict instructions from his manager to embrace the dark arts. In the end he wasn’t enough, but he added a stunning save in the highlight reel to deny Salah a second.
Pervis Estupiñán – 6
He is a really effective ball carrier and did well in the lead-up to the first goal, but he scored Liverpool’s second goal in a costly lapse of concentration.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 7
So composed even when Liverpool were chasing him in droves with the high press. The 23-year-old will be on many radars come summer.
Lewis Dunks – 6
He didn’t have an international break to remember but returned to more familiar ground in the Premier League. He did his best to organize the backline in the middle of Liverpool’s attack, but he was surprised to be able to hear himself think.
Lewis Dunk had another difficult afternoon following his international difficulties last week.
Simon Adingra was one of Brighton’s biggest threats during their brilliant first half.
Joel Veltman – 5.5
Luis Diaz took a beating and it didn’t help that Lamptey up front offered limited support. He will have been glad to have gotten on the bus home.
Simon Adingra – 7
A brilliant run that created the opportunity for the first goal and a constant threat. He looks the best bet to be Brighton’s next big money sale.
Carlos Baleba – 6.5
A willing runner and breaks the lines very well. Along with Groß, he did not outperform Mac Allister and that was the difference in the race.
Pascal Gross – 6
Booked for a high start at Mac Allister and found Brighton overrun with a frenetic atmosphere. It’s never an easy task in these parts.
Tariq Lamptey – 5
Pushed forward into a more advanced role, he got few shifts from Joe Gomez and offered little support to Veltman behind him to nullify the threatening Luis Diaz. He was the first to be removed.
Jakub Moder – 6
A great physical presence but it faded as the game progressed. He was overtaken by Van Dijk after an initial flourish.
Danny Welbeck – 7.5
Super goal to break the deadlock after 84 seconds in what was his 100th Premier League appearance for Brighton. A very useful asset for Roberto De Zerbi, even at 33 years old. Admonished.
Danny Welbeck surprised Anfield with a goal in the first two minutes for Brighton
It was the first time that Roberto De Zerbi suffered a defeat against Liverpool as Brighton manager.
Manager – Roberto De Zerbi – 6
He found himself on the pitch on more than one occasion with his surprise behavior in his technical area. It’s a fascinating watch, but it didn’t adapt on the fly to Liverpool’s increasing dominance.
SUBS
Facundo Buonanotte (substitute for Tariq Lamptey, 69) – 6
Evan Ferguson (by Jakub Moder, 83) – 5
Adam Lallana (by Simon Adingra, 83) – 6.5
Valentín Barco (by Pervis Estunpiñán, 91) – N/A