Liverpool FC keep the pressure on league leaders Manchester City. Matip’s dream pass and Salah’s 20th goal of the season earned the Reds their eighth successive league win in a 2-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
With seven league wins in a row, Liverpool travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion. During the week, however, there was a defeat in the Champions League against Inter Milan, but the Reds are still in the quarter-finals. The Seagulls have the much worse series, losing their last four games in the league – nevertheless, the home side were cheeky in the opening minutes and registered a first through Maupay (5th).
Matip’s dream pass sets up the lead
The Reds looked a little shaky in those first few minutes, but after eight minutes Klopp’s men regained their composure and registered their first dangerous attacking move through Mané. Liverpool then got into the game and took control of the match. A wonderful pass from Premier League Player of the Month Matip right into the path of Lius Diaz gave Liverpool the lead: The striker headed the ball past the onrushing keeper Sanchez into the net (19th). Because Sanchez rudely knocked down Lius Diaz while he was trying to save the ball, the Reds attacker needed a treatment break – but both continued their game.
The Reds had everything under control. Defensively, Matip, van Dijk and Co. were now extremely secure – and up front, there were pinpricks again and again. Salah missed the best chance to make it 2-0 from an acute angle shortly before the break (43rd minute).
Salah adds another from the spot
After the restart it was again the home side who made the first impact, but Trossard missed well (46). The Reds then took over again and were unlucky when Salah’s finish was deflected onto the crossbar (57th). Only a short time later, another Liverpool shot (Keita) was deflected and referee Michael Dean pointed to the penalty spot because Bissouma had his arm too far up. Salah converted the spot kick safely for his 20th goal of the season (61st).
Salah has to go down
The goalscorer had to leave the field a short time later, however, just like ex-Liverpooler Lallana on the side of the home side, who had come on for the second half and had to leave the field injured after only seven minutes.
Even without the top scorer of the current Premier League season, the eighth league win in a row was no longer in danger – also because Alisson reacted brilliantly against Welbeck in the final phase (89th). Liverpool thus keep the pressure on leaders Manchester City, who have to face Crystal Palace on Monday (9pm).
