Lewis Dunk’s late goal gave Brighton and Hove Albion a 2-2 draw with Liverpool despite a Mohamed Salah brace for the visitors at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
Brighton led through Simon Adingra but Salah scored twice in six minutes before halftime to give the Reds a 2-1 lead.
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Both teams are predisposed to playing open and the endurance challenges of having played Thursday in the Europa League led to a fun viewing for neutrals.
It was even in shots at 14 and the chances were quality as Brighton’s 2.30 xG was solid but below the visitors’ 2.49.
Liverpool sits third with 18 points, two more than sixth-place Brighton.
Sometimes the show is the story
There are a lot of interesting tidbits and talking points from this one — and we’ll list them at the end of this section — but the real story of the game is that two top, top managers have set up their teams to play.
And in this one, there wasn’t just speed and action but aggression. The Premier League has seen a lot of games with goals and flair, and a lot of slogs with fouls and fights, but this had both.
Brighton challenged nearly every ball and, frankly, felt a bit superior on the day. That’s probably shorting Liverpool a little, because Bart Verbruggen’s control of his area — 12 recoveries, 88% passing — snuffed out a lot of would be danger.
So thanks to Jurgen Klopp and Roberto De Zerbi for going for it, all the way, from whistle to whistles.
As for the mini-points:
- Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March on the left side have to be an absolute nightmare to plan for and play against... but Trent Alexander-Arnold helped counter that with a pretty complete performance.
- The second half finished with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai on the pitch, and it looks like a really strong midfield trio. That’s great news with Thiago Alcantara suffering another setback.
- Bart Verbruggen gave a performance worthy of another start, as the goalkeeper story remains in Brighton.
What’s next?
The international break, following a home Merseyside derby for Liverpool versus Everton at 7:30am ET on Saturday, Oct. 21. Brighton goes to Man City at 10am ET the same day.
Brighton vs Liverpool final score: 2-2
Goal: Adingra (21'), Salah (40', 45+1'), Dunk (78')
Brighton vs Liverpool player ratings
Mohamed Salah, man. There’s only one.
Brighton vs Liverpool player ratings (fotmob.com)
Brighton vs Liverpool player ratings (fotmob.com)
Lewis Dunk goal: Seagulls slide level off set piece
Solly March sweeps in a free kick from the left.
Who knows if Lewis Dunk knew much about it, but his charge toward the six ends with the ball going off his shin and past Alisson Becker.
2-2 with about 10 minutes left at the Amex.
Brighton vs Liverpool halftime analysis: 1-2
Mistakes have punished both sides, and Liverpool deserves its 2-1 lead away from home.
Brighton took eight of the game’s 14 shot attempts, while Liverpool has put three shots on frame.
It’s still all there for two teams who played Thursday in the Europa League. Will it open up even further?
Mohamed Salah penalty goal video: VAR-awarded pen converted
Dominik Szoboszlai is dragged down by the neck of his shirt — with the NFL in London this week, we call that a “horse-collar tackle” — and VAR sends Liverpool to the spot.
Mohamed Salah generally doesn’t miss from there, either. 2-1 to the visitors.
Mohamed Salah goal video: Liverpool level.
This is good stuff from the Reds.
Harvey Elliott dummies Darwin Nunez’s entry pass and Mohamed Salah at the back post just has to choose the part of the goal not covered by Bart Verbruggen.
He makes the right choice, as he usually does. 1-1.
Simon Adingra goal video: Brighton pounce
Virgil van Dijk’s pass to Alexis Mac Allister catches the latter unaware of Simon Adingra behind him.
Adingra takes it off the Liverpool man with ease and bursts toward the Reds box before firing home for a surprise opening goal.
Oops. Seagulls in front 1-0.
How to watch Brighton vs Liverpool live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 9 am ET, Sunday (Oct. 8)
TV: Peacock
Online: Watch via Peacock Premium
Brighton lineup
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's our starting XI to take on @LFC in the @PremierLeague. 📝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 8, 2023
📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/5or9dQRevR
Liverpool lineup
🔴 #BHALIV Team news 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 8, 2023
How we line-up this afternoon to take on Brighton:
Focus on Brighton, injury news
OUT: Julio Enciso (knee), Pervis Estupiñan (thigh), Jakub Moder (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Adam Lallana (undisclosed)
Focus on Liverpool, injury news
OUT: Diogo Jota (suspension), Curtis Jones (suspension), Thiago Alcantara (groin), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Caoimhin Kelleher (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Cody Gakpo (knee)