Liverpool edged ahead in the Premier League race, securing a 2-1 victory against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, nudging the Reds two points clear at the top.
Brighton initially took the lead with Ferdi Kadioglu’s first-half goal, but Liverpool’s comeback was spearheaded by Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, who delivered the goals that clinched a crucial win, especially significant as both Arsenal and Manchester City stumbled in their fixtures.
We’ve taken a look at how the UK national media reported on the game, with Arne Slot having now won 13 out of 15 matches in charge since taking over from Jurgen Klopp
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The Times: “Arne Slot waited. And waited some more. And then, just when he might have wondered if it would be one of those days when everything that could go wrong did go wrong, he witnessed the true power of Anfield.
The maelstrom that whipped up around Brighton and Hove Albion in the second half was started by the home crowd recognizing their team, outplayed and cut adrift at the interval, needed assistance. It would push Liverpool over the line.
“There may have been an element of fortune about Cody Gakpo’s equalizing goal, which was intended as a cross but nestled in the corner of the net, but there was no luck involved for the winner three minutes later
Mohamed Salah cut inside Pervis Estupinan and thumped a stunning finish beyond Bart Verbruggen in a blur, and the roar that filled the air would have reverberated for miles around.”
The Telegraph: “He has been at Anfield four months, but this could be the day Arne Slot truly became Liverpool’s manager. When inspiration was needed, a team and stadium in need of galvanizing after a shocking 45 minutes, Slot and his players found the answers.
“Mohamed Salah’s sizzling winner completed a stirring comeback against Brighton and suddenly Liverpool are top of the Premier League again. Liverpool will linger on the joys of the second half, how the old intensity returned and Brighton did not know what hit them as Slot saw the power of Anfield for arguably the first time since his appointment.
They must also heed the lesson from the turmoil of the first half. Throughout their excellent run at the start of Slot’s reign, there has been a nagging doubt that something is not quite right. Theories abound. Do they need a No 10 or striker with more killer instinct? Are they occasionally guilty of slowing the game down too much when a higher tempo is required?”
Liverpool came from behind to beat Brighton at a rocking Anfield and go top of the Premier League on the day their two title rivals both suffered defeat. With Arsenal having already lost at Newcastle and Manchester City losing at Bournemouth, Liverpool also looked to be slipping up, trailing 1-0 at half-time to Ferdi Kadioglu’s fine strike.
But Cody Gakpo’s left-wing cross went straight into the net for Liverpool’s equalizer, his third goal against Albion in four days after his Carabao Cup double. And Mohamed Salah curled a beauty into the far corner from the right side of the box to completely turn the game around three minutes later.
“It was an especially impressive comeback because Brighton had been playing so well — and keeping the home crowd quiet at times. Indeed, the visitors had looked set to move up to third in the table when Kadioglu’s shot from 16 yards flew in via the inside of the post in a first half they dominated.
They could have led by more but Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Georginio Rutter’s effort — before the second-half comeback. Liverpool, who have won 13 of their 15 games under new manager Arne Slot, are two points above Manchester City.”
