Liverpool 2-1 Brighton – Mohamed Salah goal sees Reds move top of Premier League with comeback win

Liverpool staged a rousing recovery to move top of the Premier League with a frantic 2-1 victory over Brighton at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side were stunned when Danny Welbeck clubbed a venomous opener into the home net after only 87 seconds of a breathless battle between two teams committed to attack.

But the home side completed a deserved comeback victory with Luis Díaz finding the equaliser with a sublime volley on 27 minutes from a Mohamed Salah header before Salah struck the winner from Alexis Mac Allister's pinpoint pass on 65 minutes.

Liverpool move onto 67 points from 29 games, giving them a crucial advantage over Arsenal and Manchester City who drew 0-0 later on Sunday with a two-point lead over the London title hopefuls and champions City a point further back.

Roberto De Zerbi's vibrant Brighton contributed their part to a brilliant contest, but remain ninth with 42 points from 29 outings.

Liverpool return to Anfield to meet Sheffield United on Thursday night after Arsenal host Luton and City face Aston Villa on Wednesday evening at the Etihad. All of the midweek Premier League matches are live on TNT Sports.

One of Liverpool's key strengths is their refusal to panic in moments of adversity.

With their fans clearly feeling the tension throughout the afternoon, Klopp's side continued to push and probe at a gallant Brighton defence with the expressive nature of their play seeing them rack up an astonishing 30 shots on the visiting goal after falling behind in the second minute.

They will be delighted five of their remaining nine matches in the league are at home. Which could prove crucial in their absorbing joust with City and Arsenal for English football's most coveted prize.

So many candidates for the award with Conor Bradley, Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diaz all contributing to another powerful performance for Klopp's men, but former Brighton favourite Mac Allister gets the nod for a supreme display at the heart of midfield with his clinical pass for Salah's winning goal perhaps also showing his old club what they lacked on the day.

Liverpool: Kelleher 6, Bradley 8, Quansah 7, Van Dijk 7, Gomez 7, Mac Allister 8, Endo 7, Szoboszlai 7, Salah 8, Nunez 7, Diaz 7 Subs: Gakpo 6, Elliott 6, Gravenberch 6

Brighton: Verbruggen 8, Lamptey 6, Van Hecke 7, Dunk 8, Estupinan 6, Gross 6, Veltman 6, Moder 6, Baleba 6, Adingra 8, Welbeck 7 Subs: Lallana 6, Barco 6, Ferguson 6, Buonanotte 6

2' GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 BRIGHTON (WELBECK) What a start to this match. 87 seconds on the clock and Danny Welbeck finishes off a brilliant Brighton break with a thunderous volley from just inside the box. Flies high into the net, no chance for the 'keeper Kelleher and the visitors lead 1-0. Anfield is stunned.

27' GOAL! (DIAZ) LIVERPOOL 1-1 BRIGHTON We are all square at Anfield as Luis Díaz races onto the Salah header after a corner wasn't cleared to finish with a clinical volley. Brilliant finish. Well onside. And VAR confirms the goal stands.

65' GOAL! (SALAH) LIVERPOOL 2-1 BRIGHTON Can't say it wasn't coming as Salah accepts the pass from Mac Allister to finish brilliantly. Superb low finish from 12 yards out. Quick pass with Szoboszlai finding Mac Allister to supply Salah. Stunning goal.

73' VAR RULES OFF A THIRD LIVERPOOL GOAL Salah with another sublime pass to pick out Diaz on the run. His finish somehow goes through the legs of Bart Verbruggen in the visiting goal. Assistant referee gets his initial call right. What a call that is.

89' BRIGHTON SAVED BY BART'S BRILLIANCE Bart Verbruggen with a brilliant stop diving low to his right to deny Salah his second of the day. How did he get down to that? Meanwhile, Endo has been booked for a late challenge.

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