BRIGHTON LIVERPOOL MO’S PIER
Onus back on City as Reds grind out seaside victory
THE MINI rot is over for Liverpool as their title ship avoided hitting the rocks in Brighton.
It took Mo Salah’s second-half penalty, which he won himself, to reboot the league leaders’ bid to be crowned champions – and kill the stubborn resistance of Chris Hughton’s Seagulls.
The Egyptian king’s 17th goal of the campaign maintained Jurgen Klopp’s record of never having lost two league games in a row since assuming the reins at Liverpool.
And, most importantly, it confirmed that this group of high-flying Reds is in no mood to crumble at the first sign of trouble.
For, if losing their invincibility tag at holders Manchester City 10 days ago had seriously wobbled the Merseysiders, this vital triumph proves they will scrap and fight to the death to rule English football supreme for the first time in 29 years.
Their lead over Pep Guardiola’s City, who face Wolves tomorrow, is back up to seven points. Meanwhi l e, the gap between themselves and third-placed Spurs, at home to Manchester United today, is nine.
No wonder Klopp hugged and congratulated each and every one of his stars following the scrappy south coast affair.
Grinding out results when below your best is a sign of authentic title contenders – and the visitors were anything but vintage here.
Klopp was still thrilled, though. The German coach beamed: “This performance was so mature and good. That’s what pleased me the most.
“Only a few in this league can win on bad days. This was not bad – but only a few can win on a difficult day, also.
“This win is important. When you fall off a horse, the best way ■ Liverpool have 57 points from 22 Prem games this season. In the English top-flight only Preston (58 in 1888-89), Tottenham (59 in to ride again is get back on it. So, it’s cool. But we didn’t make a big fuss of losing to City or in the Cup at Wolves. We never spoke about it.”
Liverpool fans did, though. In fact, many seemed to be in blind panic that, without three points here, their Holy Grail would again elude them.
If Brighton were in rude health – they kicked off protecting a four- game unbeaten r un since Christmas – their record against the elite was cause for optimism among the Koppites.
Despite the Amex Stadium being a fortress since the Seagulls returned to the top tier, five of their six home defeats in 18 months had come at the hands of the Big Six.
Liverpool, bidding for a fourth league win over