Seeking revenge for their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to the same opposition, Brighton dominated the early stages. Kadioglu’s breakthrough goal involved 21 passes before he drilled his side into the lead with just 13 minutes played.
The visitors continued to trouble Liverpool, who struggled to gain any kind of control as Brighton troubled their back four. Georginio Rutter came close to doubling the Seagulls’ lead before the hour mark but drew out a vital one-on-one save from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Goalscorer Kadioglu nearly netted his second as Brighton broke with Liverpool’s defence back peddling but he watched his volley at the back post flash over the bar after meeting a chipped Kaoru Mitoma cross.
As the first half drew to a close, a rare Liverpool first-half attack saw Ibrahima Konate fall heavily at a corner and forced off during the interval with his arm tucked into a makeshift sling.
After the break, Liverpool swung the momentum, finding rhythm in their passing as they searched for an equaliser. All of a sudden, Bart Verbruggen found himself very much involved in the Brighton net, keeping out Alexis Mac Allister with a reaction save minutes after the restart.
Following continued Liverpool pressure, Gakpo followed up his brace in midweek with the leveller before Salah whipped in the winning goal.
Victory for Liverpool means they are top of the league, two points ahead of Manchester City who suffered defeat at Bournemouth. Defeat for Brighton denied them a place in the top four and leaves them in seventh.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
