Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Ekitike gives Reds vital league win

Liverpool produced an improved overall performance to record a second league win in six, thanks to Hugo Ekitike‘s double, ‘This is Anfield’ reports.

Salah sub, Wirtz returns

Arne Slot made two changes from Milan in the week, Milos Kerkez replacing Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz in for Alexander Isak.

Wirtz lined up on the left of a front three with Hugo Ekitike and Dominik Szoboszlai, as Slot changed shape again. Mac Allister pushed high in almost a No.10 role.

Mo Salah returned to the squad but had to accept a place on the bench for the fourth time in five games – injury to Joe Gomez midway through the half meant his return was sooner than expected.

Ekitike opens the scoring – Salah returns early!

It took just 46 seconds for Ekitike to fire home his sixth league goal of the season. The Frenchman finished emphatically after Joe Gomez had won the ball with a header on the edge of the box.

It was the Reds’ first goal in the first half of a league game in six matches.

A trademark Alisson save denied Brighton‘s Gomez and kept the lead for the hosts, while a marauding run down the right from Liverpool’s Gomez set up Ekitike but his shot blazed over.

Injury to Gomez midway through the half meant a reintroduction for Salah, with Szoboszlai dropping to right back. There was applause and a chant for the returning Egyptian.

A nice move involving Ekitike down the left, then Salah and Szoboszlai, ended with Wirtz setting up Ekitike but he steered his shot wide.

The Reds were looking much better than recently, pressing well and more fluid in attack.

Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton.

Ekitike doubles for vital win

Ekitike had another chance soon after the break, while Gomez had another good opportunity for Brighton which he should have scored.

The extremely lively Ekitike was then involved in two more chances, putting one over the bar and then breaking for a move which that ended with a Salah shot that was saved.

From the resulting corner, Ekitike headed in from Salah’s corner. Seven shots – two on target, two goals for the Reds’ No.22.

The assist from Salah meant he now has more Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool than any other player has for a single team in the league’s history.

Ekitike seemed to be struggling with an injury and was replaced by Isak, while Andy Robertson replaced Wirtz.

Federico Chiesa replaced Szoboszlai, who had been struggling also with a knock from earlier in the half. Jones dropped to right back.

Soon after, Mac Allister was injured but Liverpool had used all their sub slots, forcing them to play the Argentine for the final minutes despite clearly struggling.

Salah had an opportunity, a good one, in stoppage time, but couldn’t keep his shot down in front of the Kop.

A hard fought win, a vital three points and a first Anfield league win since the start of November.

Hopefully the injury situation has improved by the time the Reds face Tottenham next weekend.

TIA Man of the Match: Hugo Ekitike.

Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Gruda, Gomez; Rutte

Subs: Steele, Veltman, De Cuyper, Boscagli, Kostoulas, Milner, Ayari, Mitoma, Welbeck

Referee: Craig Pawson

Next match: Tottenham (A) – Premier League – Saturday, December 20, 5.30pm