After Manchester City and Bournemouth were both held earlier on Saturday, the Reds took their chance to take top spot on the Premier League table – at least until Watford, Spurs and Chelsea are in action later in the weekend – by defeating Brighton 1-0 at Anfield.
The Seagulls arrived full of confidence after their victory over Manchester United last weekend and will count themselves unlucky to go away empty handed.
Here are our player ratings for Liverpool:
Alisson – 7: Almost caught out twice playing the ball in his own area – needs to learn he will have less time in the Premier League, two strong punches to turn defence into attack, great save on 88 minutes
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6: Early free kick which he smashed against the bar, worked hard down the right and tracked back well, won’t be pleased with some sloppy distribution and a missed late chance, replaced on 88 minutes by Matip.
Joe Gomez – 7: Had to be on guard to deal with the runs of Glenn Murray, nice move with Salah to put a header on target but directed it straight at Ryan, some questionable moments especially around the Brighton corner chance
Virgil van Dijk – 7: Very little to do defensively in first half, so took the opportunity to bomb forward, caught flat footed in second half and poor clearance led to corner where Brighton almost equalised, also mis-judged cross from which Gross almost got the equaliser, some cracks in the previously perfect armour
Andrew Robertson – 8: Superb cross to Firmino early on, and kept them coming during the match, great tussle with opposite number Martin Montoya , great run near the end almost set up the clincher
James Milner – 7: Superb tackle on Yves Bissouma to set-up Salah’s opening goal, usual rugged defence and excellent distribution to the wide men, gave away free kick in dangerous position.
Gini Wijnaldum – 8: Sat in the defensive midfield role with Milner and Keita in more forward roles, still got forward well with one shot stinging Ryan’s palms, some classy touches and worked hard right to the end
Naby Keita – 6: Nimble feet won a free kick on 13 minutes which TAA blasted against the bar, lifted his work rate in the middle of the park when Brighton were pushing hard for an equaliser early in the second half, subbed by Henderson on 66 minutes
Sadio Mane – 5: Strangely off kilter showing from previously in-form finisher, missed an early chance set up by Salah and some loose passing in the first half gave the ball away, missed another header on 34 minutes, quiet second half saw him subbed for Sturridge on 79 minutes
Roberto Firmino – 7: Looked like he is coming back to his best with some sharp touches, great header on nine minutes saved brilliantly by Mat Ryan, lovely assist for Salah’s opener
Mohamed Salah – 7: Double teamed all day, cut back to set up Mane superbly in just fourth minute, deadly finish with his first chance on 23 minutes, will be disappointed he didn’t do better with some other opportunities
Subs:
Jordan Henderson – 7: On for Keita on 66 minutes, steadying influence in the middle of the park, full of running, closed down well
Daniel Sturridge – 7: On for Mane on 79 minutes, some great touches and held up play nicely at the end,
Joel Matip – NA: On for TAA in 88th minute, present for one corner, first appearance since March
Overall – 6: Not Liverpool’s best but these were the sort of matches that the Reds were drawing last season, rode their luck to secure three points even when they perhaps did not deserve it, wins like this are the difference between competing for the Premier League or not