PRESSURE
them in as many games, certainly began as if they would maintain that 100 per cent streak.
Yet, after Roberto Firmino failed to finish a trademark cross by the ever- excellent Andy Robertson, the closest they came to breaking the deadlock before half-time was through Xherdan Shaqiri.
Not from the Swiss star’s deadly left boot but via his head – as he glanced Trent AlexanderArnold’s pinpoint centre an inch wide in the 26th minute.
The longer the first half dragged, the more pedestrian the visitors became in possession.
Sal ah’s qui et di spl ay highlighted just how dogged Brighton were in defence. They barely gave anyone in red a sniff.
But that changed three minutes after the interval as Salah suddenly burst into life – and into the box.
Even so, there was no need for Pascal Gross to kick the Liverpool ace in the calf. But the German did, sending him tumbling and leaving Kevin Friend pointing to the spot.
Salah dusted himself down and thrashed in the penalty.
Gross nearly made amends 10 minutes later. Finding himself unmarked 15 yards out, his effort was goalbound until makeshift defender Fabinho blocked.
Thereafter, the hosts never looked like scoring. In fact, Liverpool went closer, as Shaqiri and Georginio Wijnaldum whistled efforts wide.
Afterwards Hughton tipped his hat to Klopp’s pacesetters, saying: “They’re favourites because they’re in pole position and have points to play with.
“I have no complaints about the penalty but I did feel the balance of decisions today favoured Liverpool. I’m delighted because we ran them so close.”
Brighton have now lost as many games at the Amex Stadium in all competitions this season (four of 12) as they did in the entirety of 2017-18 on home soil (four of 22 matches).