It’s Sam old story for O’Neill strugglers
juggernaut in its tracks. Records are being smashed and new frontiers conquered as this side adds another chapter to Liverpool’s proud history.
In the end this wasn’t the perfect performance and one unwanted sequence – a run which extends to 12 games without a clean sheet – continues to haunt them.
While Reds’ two-goal hero Van Dijk will hog the headlines, equal praise should be bestowed on the man who helped make it happen for him, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Already the full-back with stardust in his boots is acquiring a reputation for a delivery service that Amazon would be proud of.
First a free-kick was fizzed in with pinpoint accuracy for Van Dijk to be afforded far too much time and space to head over Brighton keeper Mat Ryan who seemed to misjudge the flight of the ball.
But there was nothing he could do as Alexander-Arnold proved his prowess from corners with a superbly clipped effort which Van Dijk devoured from inside the six-yard box – another unchallenged header hitting the back of the net.
It was then a case of how many, for a Liverpool side who are rewriting their history.
Brighton, though, should have clawed a goal back before the break when Dunk (left) was left completely free from a Dan Burn cross, only to scuff his shot wide with Alisson fearing the worst.
By then Liverpool should have been out of sight with Roberto Firmino’s Anfield famine – he hasn’t scored in front of the home fans this season – continuing, Ryan twice denying him. Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also suffered the same fate. Brighton, though, refused to lie down and be buried.
And Alisson helped their cause, racing outside his area as Albion substitute Leandro
Trossard moved on to a lofted clearance, an instinctive illegal hand from the keeper sealing his red-card fate.
It means the Brazilian stopper misses the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday night while Brighton were left to ponder over what might have been.
Seagulls boss Graham Potter said: “We put a lot into the game against a top team.
“We showed some personality and some courage.
“In the end we were disappointed to come away with nothing.”
For Liverpool at least that’s one game out of the way in their hectic schedule over the coming month.
Just 10 to go now over the next 30 days.
NEW Stoke boss Michael O’Neill is under no illusions about the job needed to avoid relegation.
Just when it looked like the Potters had nicked a point, O’Neill’s day was ruined by a late winner from Sam Gallagher.
Three points would have taken Stoke out of the bottom three but they remain bang in trouble in 23rd after their 13th defeat in
19 games. “Having clawed our way back, we’ve lost a poor goal on the counter,” said O’Neill.
“There was a lack of belief out there an individual and collective thing, and we have to get past that.
“We’re in a real fight to stay in this league.”
It didn’t take long for Blackburn to expose familiar weaknesses as Stewart Downing’s corner caused panic and Tosin Adarabioyo’s effort was blocked on the line by James McClean.
But there was no denying Bradley Dack as he gobbled up his
10th goal of the season from close range.
Stoke needed a response and when keeper Christian Walton flapped at McClean’s corner the ball ended up in the net, with the last touch coming off Rovers midfielder Corry Evans.
But the visitors found a piece of quality to win it as Dack released sub Elliott Bennett and his low ball was swept in by Gallagher.
That made it three wins in eight days for Tony Mowbray’s side and he said: “It was hard-earned but we deserved to win.
“We’re a team in transition to one that is trying to retain the ball a bit better.
“We had a poor spell of results but we are now getting the rewards.”