THE PERFECT MOMENTUM
Salah scores the winner, Reds keep third clean sheet and Klopp’s team move to the top of Premier League
MO SALAH is proving he is more than a one-season wonder.
The man hailed as the Egyptian King as he marked his first year at Anfield with 44 goals was the matchwinner as Jurgen Klopp’s men moved to the top of the Premier League.
It’s two goals already for Salah, who also forced the penalty which sent the Reds on their way to victory at Crystal Palace on Monday night.
But, while Liverpool may have won their first three games of the campaign without yet conceding a goal, Klopp will know that his team’s statistical perfection is misleading.
For the first 45 minutes, the home side had a stifling grip on the game. When Salah put them ahead in the 23rd minute, it seemed that the only question to be answered was how many they would go on to score.
But, after failing to put Brighton to the sword, they were forced to endure some nervy moments in the second half – most of them of their own making – as Chris Hughton’s side looked to follow up their victory over Manchester United with another seismic result.
Anthony Knockaert should have brought the Seagulls level in the 48th minute, but screwed his shot wide from eight yards after Glenn Murray had smuggled himself clear to send over a deflected cross.
And Liverpool then needed keeper Alisson to show why they paid Roma £66million for him two minutes from time when the Brazilian produced a brilliant save to keep out sub Pascal Gross’ close-range header.
Klopp sent on Jordan Henderson and then defender Joel Matip in a bid to regain control.
And, in the end, the Kop boss will take comfort that his team took the points.
There were cheers at the final whistle when the stadium announcer George Sephton reminded departing supporters which team is top of the league.
But the celebrations were tinged with relief.
Yet Liverpool looked ready to run riot in the opening stages. Sadio Mane dragged a great early opportunity wide at one end after being teed up by Salah.
And Knockaert brought Alisson to his knees in front of the Kop after cutting inside to test the keeper.
The home side should have been ahead in the ninth minute when Andy Robertson glided in a cross from the left and Roberto Firmino leaped to connect with a meaty downward header that was brilliantly beaten out by Matt Ryan. They went even
closer five minutes later when Trent Alexander-arnold’s curling free-kick from 20 yards beat Ryan, but shuddered against the top of the crossbar. Liverpool were ahead when they pounced ruthlessly on a Brighton mistake. Leon Balogun’s pass into Yves Bissouma invited James Milner to snap at the Malian’s ankles with a tackle that sent the ball squirming towards Mane. His ball saw Firmino free Salah (left) with the perfect first-time pass and the Egyptian’s measured finish beat Ryan’s right hand and bounced in off the post.
Salah has now scored 29 goals in 29 games at Anfield in all competitions.
The reigning Footballer of the Year is right at home.
If Mane had got a decent connection when he stooped to meet Robertson’s cross, he would have surely scored again.
And when Firmino whipped a long-range shot just over before the break, Brighton were relieved to hear the half-time whistle.
But Liverpool’s belief seemed to drain when Knockaert missed from Murray’s cross.
And, as Brighton began to sense that home nerves were beginning to fray, they became even more adventurous.
When Martin Montoya swung in a perfect cross from the right over the head of Virgil van Dijk, it seemed Gross must surely score.
But Alisson plunged to his left to beat away the German’s thumping header.
Klopp said: “It wasn’t our best performance, but it was obviously good enough. It is quite difficult to create chances against a good, organised side like Brighton.
“We gave a few percentages back and they nearly used it, but for the brilliance of Alisson.”
Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: “At 1-0 down at half-time, most people expected Liverpool to push on, but we got stronger as the game went on. We were good on the ball and had some really good moments.”