Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield on Saturday as Hugo Ekitike scored twice, then second assisted by Mohamed Salah who played superbly after jumping off the bench in the first half.
WATCH — Full match replay
Ekitike volleyed home after just 47 seconds and then headed home Salah’s corner kick on the hour mark to seal the win, as Arne Slot’s side are now unbeaten in five games in all competitions.
Salah had chances himself and looked really sharp on the counter, although Brighton did carve out plenty of good opportunities but Fabian Hurzeler’s side were just missing the final touch when it mattered most.
With the win Liverpool move on to 26 points, while Brighton stay on 23.
Salah’s future still uncertain, but he proved his worth on potential farewell
We have no idea if that was Mohamed Salah’s final game for Liverpool but if it was, he went out playing the way we know he can. After being left out of the squad for the win at Inter Milan in midweek following his incredible rant last weekend, Salah unexpectedly came off the bench after just 26 minutes with Joe Gomez coming off injured. Salah immediately gave Liverpool extra cutting edge in attack as he was a real threat on the counter and tried to play in several of his teammates as he led Liverpool’s fluid attacks. His corner to the back post for Ekitike’s second was spot on and reminded everyone of his quality. Salah created five chances, had four shots and eight touches in the opposition penalty box in just over an hour on the pitch. Not too shabby. At the final whistle Salah saluted to the Liverpool fans as his name was sung throughout and he seemed to genuinely appreciate the support he was getting after a tough week. We will wait and see what the next few weeks bring in terms of his long-term future but Salah reminded everyone just how good he is with his overall display crucial to Liverpool’s win. Salah’s assist on Saturday means he has more goal involvements for a single club ((188 goals, 89 assists) than any other player in Premier League history. That underlines his greatness and why Salah is so loved by Liverpool fans, even after his stunning words last weekend.
Mo Salah applauds the Kop with a smile on his face after a week filled with speculation on his future. pic.twitter.com/nYz2uuAzGK
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 13, 2025
What’s next?
Liverpool head to Spurs next Saturday in a big game, while Brighton host Sunderland on the same day.
Liverpool vs Brighton: 2-0
Ekitike 1', 60'
Liverpool vs Brighton live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Salah slots over
A counter led by Chiesa sees him tee up Salah in the box but the ball was pinged over a bit and Salah couldn’t keep his effort down. Salah did so well to win the ball back to start that counter. This has been a really good display from him.
Liverpool’s fans singing the name of both Salah and Slot
Lots of chants for Salah from the Liverpool fans, which is showing how they still feel about him despite a tough week. They then sing Slot’s name just to even things out. Party atmosphere at Anfield now with Liverpool 2-0 up despite Brighton starting the second half well.
Ekitike heads home Salah’s corner!
From that resulting corner Salah’s delivery to the back post is perfect and Eiktike has a free header to nod home his and Liverpool’s second of the game.
Salah’s shot pushed away
The game is really open now as Liverpool are getting chances on the break. Ekitike charges away but instead of shooting he plays it just behind Salah. The Egyptian star eventually get his shot away but Verbruggen pushes it out for a corner.
Gruda drags his shot just wide
Brighton are getting closer! The Seagulls have been excellent to start this second half and Brajan Gruda works a bit of space on the edge of the box but his low shot across goal is just wide.
Gomez should make it 1-1!
Brighton counter on Liverppol so easily and Wieffer’s cross is past Konate but Gomez can’t finish at the back post as the ball hits the outside of the post. It has to be a goal. Huge miss by Brighton.
Ekitkike goes close as Liverpool push for a second
Hugo Ekitike almost makes it 2-0 but drags his shot just wide.
Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
Liverpool lead at the break through Ekitike’s early goal, and they have looked very sharp in attack. Mohamed Salah has done well after coming on for the injured Joe Gomez. But Brighton have been a threat with Minteh looking particularly dangerous.
Minteh denied on the break
A long ball over the top sees Minteh away but Konate gets back well to block his shot and Alisson picks up the ball.
Almost 2-0 to Liverpool!
Salah tees up Wirtz and he finds Ekitike who smashes it just wide. Brilliant fast counter from Liverpool. Salah involved again.
Straight away Salah almost sets up a goal
Salah is free down the right and plays it in to Wirtz and his cross is almost tapped home by Ekitike but Verbruggen saves well. Salah could have had a shot, but decided to pass.
Salah is on for the injured Gomez
Mohamed Salah is on for Liverpool after 25 minutes! Joe Gomez is off with an injury, so Dominik Szoboszlai goes to right back. Huge roar from the Liverpool fans at Anfield when Salah’s name is read out and his song is sung.
With Joe Gomez picking up an injury, Mo Salah comes on to replace him for Liverpool. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6jNtbmXbC4
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 13, 2025
Wirtz sets up Ekitike but he drags it
Florian Wirtz surges into the box and sets up Ekitike with a lovely back heel. Ekitike drags it wide.
Alisson denies Gomez
Great save from Alisson as Brighton’s Gomez is played in brilliantly, but Alisson is quick off his line and smothers the shot. Brighton are well on top.
Good chance for Brighton as Minteh fires just wide
Minteh cuts inside from the right and beats Kerkez then drills a low shot towards the far corner which just sneaks wide.
Ekitike smashes home inside the first minute!
Wow. What a perfect start for Liverpool. Minteh with an awful clearance and Gomez wins the ball in the air and Ektike takes one touch and volleys home. 47 seconds on the clock! The quickest goal in the Premier League so far this season.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Gomez Gruda; Rutter
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Wataru Endo (knock), Cody Gakpo (unspecified - MORE), Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring), Giovanni Leoni (knee - MORE), Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Federico Chiesa (illness), Mohamed Salah (team decision), Alexander Isak (knock)
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee), Stefanos Tzimas (unspecified)| QUESTIONABLE: James Milner (muscular), Yasin Ayari (knock)
Liverpool vs Brighton preview
Liverpool had a nice midweek after a brutal start to it, beating Inter Milan in Italy despite leaving Mo Salah out of the squad after the Egyptian’s explosive rant left Arne Slot admitting concern for Salah’s future with the club. Will Salah be in the 18 on Saturday? Reports say he will after a meeting with Slot on Friday.
The Reds started 5-0-0 in Premier League play but have an awful record of 2W-2D-6L dating back to September 27. They’ve won just one of their last five in the league, a 2-0 victory over West Ham which has been followed by draws with newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds United.
It’s another chance for Brighton not to stumble on the precipice. The Seagulls have climbed close to the top four multiple times this season just to come up short. Fabian Hurzeler’s men are three points back of the top four after 15 matches, but really could’ve been in the thick of those places had they not lost a two-goal lead at home to Villa in Week 14 before drawing West Ham 1-1 — also at home — on Sunday.
Liverpool vs Brighton prediction
Your guess is as good as ours. Liverpool have tremendous attacking depth even if Salah joins Gakpo in being unavailable for this contest. And maybe that’ll be enough to tip the scales at home against a Brighton team which has beaten Chelsea away and both Man City and Newcastle at home this season. Liverpool 2-1 Brighton.
How to watch Liverpool vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
