Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory at Anfield this season with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon, extending their winning run to four matches in all competitions.
A Pascal Groß own goal and a clinical finish from Alexander Isak, both inside the opening 21 minutes, proved enough to earn Andoni Iraola’s side all three points against opponents who arrived at Anfield in excellent form.
The result lifts Liverpool into fourth place in the Premier League, just one point behind Brighton, and provides another encouraging sign that Iraola’s team are beginning to find their rhythm.
Liverpool made four changes from the side that defeated Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League in midweek, with Isak, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola and Milos Kerkez returning to the starting eleven.
Brighton arrived having won four consecutive league matches without conceding a goal, but their impressive run came to an end following a damaging spell in the first half.
The visitors actually had a glorious opportunity to take the lead in the 14th minute when Pascal Groß picked out Yasin Ayari inside the penalty area, but the midfielder fired over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Liverpool punished that miss just three minutes later.
Ronald Araújo helped create the opening with a delivery from the right, and when Brighton failed to clear their lines, Wirtz collected the loose ball and fired towards goal. His effort took a decisive deflection off Groß before finding the net, with the goal officially recorded as an own goal.
The Reds doubled their advantage in the 21st minute.
Barcola reacted quickest after blocking Olivier Boscagli’s attempted clearance, used his pace to get beyond the Brighton defender and delivered a cross for Isak, who guided a first-time finish past Bart Verbruggen.
It was the Swedish striker’s sixth Premier League goal of the campaign and his third consecutive league appearance on the scoresheet.
Liverpool continued to threaten, with Cody Gakpo and Araújo both drawing saves from Verbruggen, but Brighton also had opportunities to get themselves back into the contest.
Ayari came closest in the 36th minute after Liverpool lost possession playing out from the back. His curling effort struck the post and bounced clear, allowing the hosts to retain their two-goal advantage heading into half-time.
The second half was a different affair, with Brighton enjoying considerably more possession as they attempted to find a way back into the match.
However, Liverpool’s defensive organisation and determination ensured that the visitors struggled to turn their possession into clear opportunities.
Araújo was particularly impressive, producing several important interventions and displaying the physical commitment that brought repeated applause from the Anfield crowd.
Jérémy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk also made important contributions as Liverpool protected their lead.
Despite Brighton enjoying approximately 64 per cent of possession and registering 17 attempts, they managed just one shot on target throughout the contest.
Liverpool also had opportunities to extend their advantage on the counterattack, although their execution in the final third occasionally let them down.
There was one concern for Iraola when Wirtz suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Trey Nyoni in the 65th minute.
The Liverpool head coach subsequently confirmed that the German had twisted his ankle, although initial indications suggested the problem was not serious. The midfielder will be assessed before the club’s forthcoming fixtures.
Iraola later introduced Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas in place of Barcola and Isak, while Kostas Tsimikas replaced Kerkez during the closing stages.
The Reds successfully saw out the remaining minutes to secure an important clean sheet against one of the Premier League’s most prolific attacking sides.
Speaking after the match, Iraola highlighted Liverpool’s aggressive start and ability to win individual battles as important factors in the victory.
The result gives Liverpool their first home league success since April and continues a positive run of results following victories over LASK, Brentford and Villarreal.
There was further recognition for Araújo, who was voted Liverpool’s official Player of the Match by supporters after another commanding performance.
Liverpool return to action on Wednesday when they host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, before welcoming Arsenal to Anfield in the Premier League next Sunday.
Liverpool: Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez (Tsimikas 88); Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Barcola (Ngumoha 77), Wirtz (Nyoni 65), Gakpo; Isak (Koumas 77).
Goals: Groß (own goal, 17), Isak (21).
Attendance: 60,404.
