Ericson Mangoli
Brighton 1-3 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah nets twice for the Premier League Champions as Jurgen Klopp’s side set sight to beat Manchester City’s record.
Mohamed Salah bagged a brace as Liverpool recorded a 3-1 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp made several changes to the team that beat Aston Villa last time out, with 19-year-old Neco Williams starting at left-back and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handed a central midfield role.
Still chasing Manchester City‘s record points of haul, the Reds got off to a perfect start when Naby Keita won the ball pressing high up the pitch and Mohamed Salah tucked away into the far corner for his 18th league goal of the season.
Within 90 seconds, the newly-crowned champions showed their ruthlessness after Dan Burn gave the ball away. Keita supplied Salah with the pass and Salah laid it off to captain Jordan Henderson, who thundered home from the range.
Brighton responded well after conceding the second goal and the Seagulls got one back on the stroke of half-time.
Young full-back Tariq Lamptey showed a quick pair of heels before fizzing in a pinpoint cross and Leandro Trossard finished expertly on the half-volley past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Williams was withdrawn at the break after picking up a booking and Andy Robertson came on in his place, with Klopp perhaps concerned about losing a two-goal lead.
The hosts should have brought proceedings back level when Alexis Mac Allister’s cross found Burn at the far post but the left-back somehow missed the target from four yards out.
Liverpool punished their profligacy late on when Robertson’s corner to the front post was met by Salah and Salah headed beyond Ryan to double his tally and help Liverpool edge closer to a record-breaking season.
