The game gets underway and we are off to a flyer. Brighton defender, Yankuba Minteh, makes a horrendous crossfield clearance from the corner which is knocked down by the head of Joe Gomez, straight into the path of our quality striker, Hugo Ekitiké, for him to slam it past the keeper into the back of the Seagulls’ net. 1-0 LFC, one minute gone. Maybe, just maybe, we will win this afternoon?
Alexis Mac Allister sort of scuffs a shot a few minutes later. We look lively though, and up for it, and are attacking. Nothing like an early goal to gee up spirits! Joe Gomez does a nice link up down the right to convert it into the path of Ekitiké again but he sends it wildly over.
Joe Gomez has had a wonderful start to the game but it looks as though old injury woes are coming back to haunt him as he is needing treatment and the game is stopped as he picks up a knock. Joe Gomez does indeed have to go off. This paves the way fro Mo Salah to enter the fray , with Dominik Szoboszlai moving back to right back. Will the Egyptian King have any fire left in his belly?
Mohamed Salah instantly finds Alexis Mac Allister who unfortunately cannot guide his cross into the path of Ekitiké. The Frenchman gets another chance though, soon after, when he curls it just past the far post follwoing an incisive Liverpool team attack.
Ryan Gravenberch gets a nice shot away. It really is all Liverpool. They are completely on the front foot and have Brighton pinned back, with constant attackign thrusts. It’s the best I’ve seen Liverpool play in ages. Perhaps, the whole Salah saga has galvanized the team into action?
It is half-time and still 1-0 to Liverpool. The Reds are playing well and are a joy to watch. It is a bit disappointing that we have not scored more goals as we have to bear in mind the fragility of our defence. The changing room should perhaps today be a pleasant environment for our beleagured manager, Arne Slot. It ain’t over until the final whistle blows. Let’s continue the hard work and keep Brighton pinned back in the second half. Pressure will tell.
Well, it’s the last we’ll see of Mo Salah for a while, whatever happens with regard to a potential transfer as he is off to AFCON to reprresent Egypt. I hope he comes back and comes back firing, but we will wait and see.
Start of the second half and Liverpool are attacking The Kop. It is Brighton who are first to step up to the mark with Diego Gomez very unlucky not to convert a chance that he really should have put away after a counter-attack break forward from the visitors. It seems to be all Brighton and they are certainly pushing us. Brajan Gruda skips the ball narrowly wide and it again should have been the equalizer. We are hanging on by a thread.
On a counter-attack, Salah has a good long range strike that tests the keeper but he makes a clean save. Following a corner, our star man, Hugo Ekitiké, connects with a header to make it 2-0. He really is our best striker and is having a great game, with impact.
At the other end, Kaoru Mitoma, who has just come onto the pitch, gets a good opportunity but can only put it wide. Brighton are not, by any means, out of this match yet.
Into the last twenty minutes and it has turned into quite a voracious match, end to end stuff, alternating between action in either penalty area. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké make way for Andy Robertson and Alexander Isak. I think I would have preferred Slot to stick with Ekitiké so he can go for his hat-trick. He really has been on fire.
Danny Welbeck comes on as a danger man for Brighton for the last ten minutes. I do respect him as a player and, if my memory serves me well, he has a good scoring record against us. Chiesa replaces Szoboszlai for Liverpool. James Milner gets a great ovation from The Kop as he steps onto the pitch.
Into injury time and Chiesa lays it on a plate for Mo Salah but he cannot connect properly and skies his attempt. It would have been a nice finishing touch for our disillusioned star. Salah can’t quite put Andy Robertson in on a classy Liverpool counter. It could have been three. The final whistle blows and it’s a satisfying 2-0 victory for the Reds. Well played. #ynwa
The scoreline reflects a comfortable victory but Brighton gave us a good game, in particularly during the second half. It’s always nice to see a victory for the Reds. Let’s hope it adds to better dressing room morale and that Mo Salah and Arne Slot can patch up their differences. I will say that Salah seemed to have given his all today and I’d be heartbroken if this was his last performance in a Liverpool shirt. He is a club legend. Our Egyptian King. It is normal for everyone to get a bit grumpy when the team aren’t getting results. Good luck in the African Cup of Nations, Mo. See you when you get back!
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