REDS KEEPING UP MOMENTUM
IT has become the longest victory tour.
Newly-crowned champions Liverpool were given another guard of honour, they moved closer to yet another Premier League record and turned on the style again.
Another victory and now the Anfield men need just three more wins to beat Manchester City’s best-ever points tally of 100 set in 2018.
The Reds were pushed to the limit and rode their luck at times against a Brighton team playing with freedom and energy after effectively securing their Premier League safety.
Mo Salah’s sixth-minute opener was the Reds’ first goal in six away games in all competitions.
That blew away any lingering hangovers from their defeat at the Etihad last week and lacklustre win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are already history makers and this team should try to break as many records as possible to mark themselves down as one of the best of all time.
Klopp said: “We started really well. We had to adapt a little bit as we knew what they wanted to do but it was a little bit hard to defend. “It was a nice game to watch!” Brighton’s players stood and applauded Liverpool out on to the pitch – and then gave them way too much respect as they watched the visitors roar into a two-goal lead. The first came after just six minutes and was typical Liverpool. Brighton midfielder Davy Propper was caught in possession and Naby Keita pressed him before feeding Salah who supplied a straightforward finish.
Two minutes later, Salah turned provider as his assist set up Jordan Henderson on the edge of the box and the Reds captain’s 20-yard cross shot flashed past Brighton keeper Mat Ryan.
That would ordinarily have been that but Liverpool took their foot off the gas and the Seagulls stepped up a gear.
Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey gave Neco Williams a real chasing, and eventually the Liverpool teenager was booked for a foul on him.
Sure enough, Lamptey, 19, provided the cross for Leandro Trossard to fire home a brilliant shot to haul Brighton back into the contest in the 45th minute.
It was no surprise when Klopp hooked Williams at half-time to bring on first choice left-back Andy Robertson to shore up that flank.
But when Brighton’s towering left-back Dan Burn missed a big chance, Klopp sent for the cavalry with Fabinho brought on to shore up the midfield and Sadio Mane to join the attack.
Liverpool finally settled down after Salah got his second of the night as he glanced home Robertson’s corner at the near post in the 76th minute to wrap it all up.