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Danny Welbeck had silenced the Anfield crowd with a superb strike after only 87 seconds, but Diaz’s thumping finish levelled for Liverpool in the first half before Salah netted the winner with his 16th goal of the season as Jurgen Klopp recorded his first ever victory over Roberto De Zerbi.
It was also the seventh time Liverpool have fought back from being behind to win in 2023/24, their most comeback victories in a single campaign in the competition.
How the match unfolded
Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson missed out through injury, with Conor Bradley the only change to the side beaten at Manchester United in the FA Cup last time out. Defender Ibrahima Konate returned to the bench.
For Brighton, Jakub Moder, Carlos Baleba and Joel Veltman came back in as Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to their last outing against Roma in the UEFA Europa League.
Following a minute’s applause for ex-Liverpool player Larry Lloyd, who died this week aged 75, the match got under way to the backdrop of a rip-roaring Anfield atmosphere.
Brighton stunned the home crowd after only 87 seconds when Simon Adingra attacked down the left, Virgil van Dijk could only stab the ball into the path of Welbeck who slammed an unstoppable finish beyond Caoimhin Kelleher.
Back came Liverpool, led by Salah, who curled an effort wide, had a shot blocked and then sent a first-time volley narrowly over the bar as Klopp’s side pushed for an early equaliser.
Liverpool’s pressure paid off after 27 minutes when Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner was headed back in to the mix by Salah, Veltman tried to block it but succeeded only in sending the ball looping into the path of Diaz, who produced an emphatic finish from close range.
In a hugely entertaining encounter, Brighton, who had lost five of their previous six away matches across all competitions, continued to stand firm as Liverpool chalked up 17 attempts on goal.
Klopp’s side had to be alert to the constant threat of winger Adingra, however, whose running battle with Bradley on the left flank was enthralling. Indeed, 62 per cent of Brighton’s attacks in the first half came down the left flank, and Adingra recorded four dribbles, the most by any player in that time.
Liverpool started the second half on the front foot, and former Seagulls midfielder Alexis Mac Allister went close to a second goal, but his flicked header from a Joe Gomez delivery flashed past the upright before Szoboszlai fizzed an effort wide.
The Reds finally made their pressure count after 65 minutes, Mac Allister picked out Salah in space inside the box, and the Egyptian made no mistake with a low finish to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
Diaz thought he had added a third goal, sliding home a Salah pass, but his strike was disallowed by the VAR as Diaz had strayed offside when receiving the ball.
Salah fired straight at Bart Verbruggen after Diaz had played him in following a swift counter-attack and a fine intervention by Lewis Dunk prevented Darwin Nunez from racing clear as Liverpool threatened again.
But Brighton remained a threat, and Dunk’s header from a Pascal Gross free-kick forced Kelleher into a diving save in a nervy final 10 minutes for Liverpool.
Brighton substitute Adam Lallana scuffed an effort inches wide, and in a thrilling finale Salah, who had 12 shots at goal, his most in a Premier League match, was denied a second goal by a brilliant one-hand save by Verbruggen.
Liverpool return top of the table on 67 points, three points clear of Arsenal and four ahead of Manchester City. Brighton are ninth with 42 points.
Club reports
Liverpool report | Brighton report
Match officials
Referee: David Coote. Assistants: Tim Wood, Mark Scholes. Fourth official: Craig Pawson. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Dan Cook.
Goodbye
FT: Man City 0-0 Arsenal
Arsenal are on their way back to London with a hard-earned point. Will it prove decisive at the end of the season?
There’s still enough games for one or two twists and turns in this title race.
Remember, there’s a midweek Premier League programme coming up.
Bring. It. On.
