Hello! And welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of this afternoon’s Premier League clash between Brighton and Liverpool down by the seaside at the Amex.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats. The Reds suffered their first league defeat of the season against Man City a fortnight ago before falling to Wolves away in the FA Cup too.
Priorities have been fixed back on the Premier League, however, with Liverpool players and fans alike fully aware that this could potentially be the year that the famous trophy comes to Anfield for the very first time.
A massive game for Liverpool this afternoon. Brighton currently have the best home form of any team outside the top six but the visitors will be keen to maintain their four point lead over Man City at the top of the Premier League.
TEAM NEWS: Virgil van Dijk returns at the back for Liverpool this afternoon. The Dutchman was rested against Wolves and, with Dejan Lovren forced off in the opening minutes, the match saw 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever make his debut unexpectedly. Fabinho featured at centre back in that 2-1 defeat to Wolves and the Brazilian maintains his spot in defence today.
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Amex for the first half!
12 Jan 2019
3:02PM
Calm and assured start to this game from Liverpool. Van Dijk seeing a lot of early possession, helping Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum to distribute the ball about left and right so that everyone can get an early touch and settle themselves.
12 Jan 2019
3:04PM
There was a potential injury scare for Trent Alexander-Arnold right before kick-off. It looked like James Milner could have been forced to replace the young full-back, but he does in fact start. Milner, meanwhile, is keeping warm running up and down the touchline. A precaution, it seems.
Trent Alexander-Arnold starts for Liverpool vs. Brighton despite suffering a knock in the warm-up. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Wfy5sYQcbd
Lots of diagonal balls being hit by Henderson early on here. The game is very much being played at Liverpool’s pace; the Reds stoking the ball to and fro waiting for a potential opening for Salah, Mane and Firmino to exploit.
12 Jan 2019
3:10PM
Close! Liverpool snap into action and come within inches of opening the scoring. Andy Robertson sends a dangerous, curling cross right into the danger zone but both Mane and Salah miss the ball and fail to get a touch to take it past goalkeeper David Button.
Brighton produce their first attack of the game, a fine one on the counter. Some well-read defending from Solly March cancels out Liverpool’s attack, before the Brighton man spins a brilliant diagonal ball up towards Jurgen Locadia. He tries to take a shot from just outside the box, but it’s blocked at the last second.
Gareth Fuller
Gareth Fuller
12 Jan 2019
3:17PM
Alexander-Arnold is beginning to limp and the defender’s game could be over already here. He took a knock in the warm-up and seems to be suffering as a result of it now.
12 Jan 2019
3:19PM
Xherdan Shaqiri swings in a free-kick towards the box, but Dale Stephens rises highest to head the danger clear. The ball fell on the edge of the area to Jordan Henderson, but the Liverpool skipper couldn’t get his shot away.
Liverpool have enjoyed 78% possession in this game so far, but have failed to really test David Button between the sticks as of yet. You still get the sense that they are warming up and finding their feet, all the while in total control. Just one shot from Klopp’s men this afternoon so far.
Gareth Fuller
Gareth Fuller
12 Jan 2019
3:24PM
Mohamed Salah causes all sorts of problems inside the box, hunting after a bouncing ball as it teeters towards the byline. Gaetan Bong was trying to see the ball out for a goal kick, but it managed to take a slight touch off the Brighton defender and out for a corner, which is easily cleared.
12 Jan 2019
3:27PM
Xherdan Shaqiri comes close to breaking the deadlock. Trent Alexander-Arnold is back to himself again and he delivers a low cross into the middle of the box. Shaqiri is the smallest man on the pitch, but does really well to rise high in-between a pair of Brighton bodies. He gets plenty behind his header, but it drags wide.
A chance for a rare counter from Brighton down the right wing. Pascal Gross helps out at the back and proceeds to bomb down the right wing following a one-two. The return pass from Dale Stephens is overhit, though, and it bobbles out of play just as Gross threatened to carve out an attack. A lot better from the hosts.
John Walton
John Walton
12 Jan 2019
3:35PM
Jordan Henderson produces a diving header from inside the box. Xherdan Shaqiri supplied the move with a well-spotted low cross pulled back to his skipper, but Henderson’s effort lacked any real power and was easily blocked down by Shane Duffy.
12 Jan 2019
3:40PM
A brilliant opportunity to take the lead for Brighton as Jurgen Locadia breaks through on his own. The linesman, however, raises his flag for offside. The home crowd let him know what they think of that decision with a chorus of boos and hollers.
12 Jan 2019
3:43PM
A moment of panic at the back for Liverpool as Stephens’ cross into the box neatly meets the head of Glenn Murray. Van Dijk & Co fail to deal with the aftermath and Alisson is forced to come from his line and boot the ball clear.
There we are then, half-time. A game Liverpool have dominated in terms of possession, but not in creating chances to test David Button in the Brighton goal. The hosts have had the odd opportunity on the counter with the help of Pascal Gross and Solly March, but this has been a match played on the Reds’ terms thus far, with Shane Duffy performing well to keep his side in ship-shape at the back. More to come shortly!
Good early attack from Brighton right from the off here. Jurgen Locadia sweeps a dangerous ball floating into the box towards Solly March, but Alisson springs off his line and catches the ball first before March ever had the chance to compete.
The Reds have a chance to break the deadlock from the spot here. Pascal Gross brings Mohamed Salah to the ground inside the box just as the forward pulled his left leg back and threatened to have a go at goal. Salah will take it.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Liverpool are 1-0 ahead five minutes into the second half as Mohamed Salah sticks his penalty flying past David Button. The goalkeeper dived the right way, but Salah had too much power behind his strike to fire it into the back of the net.
Gareth Fuller
Gareth Fuller
12 Jan 2019
4:10PM
The perfect start to the second half for Jurgen Klopp and his side. They absoutely dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes but had very little show for it. Salah’s penalty has put them on the front foot in search of all three points now. And to be honest, they will be fully aware that draws just don’t cut it at this stage of the season.
12 Jan 2019
4:12PM
Mohamed Salah opens the scoring by converting a penalty, which he did well to win. The Egyptian has now scored thrice and assisted twice in his four Premier League appearances against #BHAFC. A release for #LFC, who had been stifled by the exceptionally disciplined hosts.
A critical block from Fabinho to deny Brighton the chance to go level begging via Pascal Gross. The hosts are beginning to rally here, with Gross inches away from curling the ball into the bottom corner from close range. Great defending from the Brazilian there.
A second chance in quick succession for Brighton. Fabinho clears a cross delivered into the box, but it falls invitingly for Dale Stephens to hit. He does have a go, but he drags the ball into the turf and can only watch is bobble and bounce well wide of the target. A poor effort.
Gareth Fuller
Gareth Fuller
12 Jan 2019
4:22PM
Chris Hughton sends a plethora of his players out to warm up. Liverpool are ahead, but he will feel his side could very well snatch a point here if they prove just a bit more clinical in front of goal. The chances are coming thick and fast in this second half, the problem for Brighton is a lack of clinical edge from Gross and Murray to make them count.
12 Jan 2019
4:23PM
Double substitution for Brighton: Anthony Knockaert replaces Solly March & Florin Andone replaces Glenn Murray.
66: SUB - Double switch as Andone and Knockaert replace Murray and March.
Shane Duffy goes down inside the box from a corner kick half-claiming a penalty, but referee Kevin Friend waves play on. Brighton really threatening here with 20 minutes left to go.
12 Jan 2019
4:28PM
Substitution for Liverpool: James Milner replaces Xherdan Shaqiri.
Close! A free-kick from Sadio Mane spills through Davy Propper’s legs and causes panic inside the box. Eventually it’s forced clear for a corner, with Liverpool now applying pressure to try and put this game to bed with a second.
Mark Kerton
Mark Kerton
12 Jan 2019
4:35PM
Nearly an equaliser as Bong does really well down the right wing before crossing towards the front post. Second-half introduction Florin Andone breaks away in front of his man, but his shot flies just wide of the post.
12 Jan 2019
4:36PM
At the other end Liverpool almost double their advantage with a second. Salah offloads on the edge of the box to Georginio Wijnaldum. He lines up an effort on his left foot, but it narrowly misses the bottom corner.
12 Jan 2019
4:41PM
Six minutes left and it’s evenly-balanced. Liverpool haven’t been able to build on Salah’s early penalty and still run the risk of conceding a late equaliser with Brighton still pushing and pressing here. That said, Fabinho and Van Dijk have done well together to keep Murray and Gross nullified this afternoon.
12 Jan 2019
4:43PM
That could have been it! Sadio Mane bears down on goal after a snappy counter-attack, but his left-footed strike flies wide of the post. He had Duffy and Dunk in the palm of his hand there, but the finish was lacking from Mane.
12 Jan 2019
4:45PM
Substitution for Liverpool: Naby Keita replaces Sadio Mane.
12 Jan 2019
4:46PM
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half.
12 Jan 2019
4:48PM
Desperate defending at the back from Liverpool as the ball nearly falls on a plate for Jurgen Locadia to score the most dramatic of equalisers in stoppage time. Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to deal with a cross towards the back post, but luckily for him the ball also caught Locadia unawares as he slipped to the floor.
12 Jan 2019
4:49PM
Substitution for Liverpool: Divock Origi replaces Mohamed Salah.
There we have it. Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points as Manchester City prepare to face Wolves on Monday night at the Etihad. It was a hard-fought win for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with Mohamed Salah’s penalty five minutes into the second half proving decisive. Thanks a million for joining us this afternoon — you can read our full match report here. Cya!
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As it happened: Brighton vs Liverpool, Premier League
Hello! And welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of this afternoon’s Premier League clash between Brighton and Liverpool down by the seaside at the Amex.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats. The Reds suffered their first league defeat of the season against Man City a fortnight ago before falling to Wolves away in the FA Cup too.
Priorities have been fixed back on the Premier League, however, with Liverpool players and fans alike fully aware that this could potentially be the year that the famous trophy comes to Anfield for the very first time.
Kick-off is coming up at 3.00pm.
Let’s get started with the team news…
A massive game for Liverpool this afternoon. Brighton currently have the best home form of any team outside the top six but the visitors will be keen to maintain their four point lead over Man City at the top of the Premier League.
Elsewhere today, Declan Rice’s first West Ham goal has helped defeat Arsenal 1-0 at the London Stadium. A fine finish from the young midfielder, who only turns 20 on Monday.
Some pre-game reading material ahead of kick-off:
TEAM NEWS: Virgil van Dijk returns at the back for Liverpool this afternoon. The Dutchman was rested against Wolves and, with Dejan Lovren forced off in the opening minutes, the match saw 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever make his debut unexpectedly. Fabinho featured at centre back in that 2-1 defeat to Wolves and the Brazilian maintains his spot in defence today.
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Amex for the first half!
Calm and assured start to this game from Liverpool. Van Dijk seeing a lot of early possession, helping Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum to distribute the ball about left and right so that everyone can get an early touch and settle themselves.
There was a potential injury scare for Trent Alexander-Arnold right before kick-off. It looked like James Milner could have been forced to replace the young full-back, but he does in fact start. Milner, meanwhile, is keeping warm running up and down the touchline. A precaution, it seems.
Lots of diagonal balls being hit by Henderson early on here. The game is very much being played at Liverpool’s pace; the Reds stoking the ball to and fro waiting for a potential opening for Salah, Mane and Firmino to exploit.
Close! Liverpool snap into action and come within inches of opening the scoring. Andy Robertson sends a dangerous, curling cross right into the danger zone but both Mane and Salah miss the ball and fail to get a touch to take it past goalkeeper David Button.
Brighton produce their first attack of the game, a fine one on the counter. Some well-read defending from Solly March cancels out Liverpool’s attack, before the Brighton man spins a brilliant diagonal ball up towards Jurgen Locadia. He tries to take a shot from just outside the box, but it’s blocked at the last second.
Alexander-Arnold is beginning to limp and the defender’s game could be over already here. He took a knock in the warm-up and seems to be suffering as a result of it now.
Xherdan Shaqiri swings in a free-kick towards the box, but Dale Stephens rises highest to head the danger clear. The ball fell on the edge of the area to Jordan Henderson, but the Liverpool skipper couldn’t get his shot away.
Liverpool have enjoyed 78% possession in this game so far, but have failed to really test David Button between the sticks as of yet. You still get the sense that they are warming up and finding their feet, all the while in total control. Just one shot from Klopp’s men this afternoon so far.
Mohamed Salah causes all sorts of problems inside the box, hunting after a bouncing ball as it teeters towards the byline. Gaetan Bong was trying to see the ball out for a goal kick, but it managed to take a slight touch off the Brighton defender and out for a corner, which is easily cleared.
Xherdan Shaqiri comes close to breaking the deadlock. Trent Alexander-Arnold is back to himself again and he delivers a low cross into the middle of the box. Shaqiri is the smallest man on the pitch, but does really well to rise high in-between a pair of Brighton bodies. He gets plenty behind his header, but it drags wide.
A chance for a rare counter from Brighton down the right wing. Pascal Gross helps out at the back and proceeds to bomb down the right wing following a one-two. The return pass from Dale Stephens is overhit, though, and it bobbles out of play just as Gross threatened to carve out an attack. A lot better from the hosts.
Jordan Henderson produces a diving header from inside the box. Xherdan Shaqiri supplied the move with a well-spotted low cross pulled back to his skipper, but Henderson’s effort lacked any real power and was easily blocked down by Shane Duffy.
A brilliant opportunity to take the lead for Brighton as Jurgen Locadia breaks through on his own. The linesman, however, raises his flag for offside. The home crowd let him know what they think of that decision with a chorus of boos and hollers.
A moment of panic at the back for Liverpool as Stephens’ cross into the box neatly meets the head of Glenn Murray. Van Dijk & Co fail to deal with the aftermath and Alisson is forced to come from his line and boot the ball clear.
HALF-TIME: BRIGHTON 0-0 LIVERPOOL
There we are then, half-time. A game Liverpool have dominated in terms of possession, but not in creating chances to test David Button in the Brighton goal. The hosts have had the odd opportunity on the counter with the help of Pascal Gross and Solly March, but this has been a match played on the Reds’ terms thus far, with Shane Duffy performing well to keep his side in ship-shape at the back. More to come shortly!
SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway!
Good early attack from Brighton right from the off here. Jurgen Locadia sweeps a dangerous ball floating into the box towards Solly March, but Alisson springs off his line and catches the ball first before March ever had the chance to compete.
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
The Reds have a chance to break the deadlock from the spot here. Pascal Gross brings Mohamed Salah to the ground inside the box just as the forward pulled his left leg back and threatened to have a go at goal. Salah will take it.
GOAL! BRIGHTON 0-1 LIVERPOOL (SALAH 50)
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Liverpool are 1-0 ahead five minutes into the second half as Mohamed Salah sticks his penalty flying past David Button. The goalkeeper dived the right way, but Salah had too much power behind his strike to fire it into the back of the net.
The perfect start to the second half for Jurgen Klopp and his side. They absoutely dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes but had very little show for it. Salah’s penalty has put them on the front foot in search of all three points now. And to be honest, they will be fully aware that draws just don’t cut it at this stage of the season.
A critical block from Fabinho to deny Brighton the chance to go level begging via Pascal Gross. The hosts are beginning to rally here, with Gross inches away from curling the ball into the bottom corner from close range. Great defending from the Brazilian there.
A second chance in quick succession for Brighton. Fabinho clears a cross delivered into the box, but it falls invitingly for Dale Stephens to hit. He does have a go, but he drags the ball into the turf and can only watch is bobble and bounce well wide of the target. A poor effort.
Chris Hughton sends a plethora of his players out to warm up. Liverpool are ahead, but he will feel his side could very well snatch a point here if they prove just a bit more clinical in front of goal. The chances are coming thick and fast in this second half, the problem for Brighton is a lack of clinical edge from Gross and Murray to make them count.
Double substitution for Brighton: Anthony Knockaert replaces Solly March & Florin Andone replaces Glenn Murray.
Shane Duffy goes down inside the box from a corner kick half-claiming a penalty, but referee Kevin Friend waves play on. Brighton really threatening here with 20 minutes left to go.
Substitution for Liverpool: James Milner replaces Xherdan Shaqiri.
Close! A free-kick from Sadio Mane spills through Davy Propper’s legs and causes panic inside the box. Eventually it’s forced clear for a corner, with Liverpool now applying pressure to try and put this game to bed with a second.
Nearly an equaliser as Bong does really well down the right wing before crossing towards the front post. Second-half introduction Florin Andone breaks away in front of his man, but his shot flies just wide of the post.
At the other end Liverpool almost double their advantage with a second. Salah offloads on the edge of the box to Georginio Wijnaldum. He lines up an effort on his left foot, but it narrowly misses the bottom corner.
Six minutes left and it’s evenly-balanced. Liverpool haven’t been able to build on Salah’s early penalty and still run the risk of conceding a late equaliser with Brighton still pushing and pressing here. That said, Fabinho and Van Dijk have done well together to keep Murray and Gross nullified this afternoon.
That could have been it! Sadio Mane bears down on goal after a snappy counter-attack, but his left-footed strike flies wide of the post. He had Duffy and Dunk in the palm of his hand there, but the finish was lacking from Mane.
Substitution for Liverpool: Naby Keita replaces Sadio Mane.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half.
Desperate defending at the back from Liverpool as the ball nearly falls on a plate for Jurgen Locadia to score the most dramatic of equalisers in stoppage time. Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled to deal with a cross towards the back post, but luckily for him the ball also caught Locadia unawares as he slipped to the floor.
Substitution for Liverpool: Divock Origi replaces Mohamed Salah.
FULL-TIME: BRIGHTON 0-1 LIVERPOOL
There we have it. Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points as Manchester City prepare to face Wolves on Monday night at the Etihad. It was a hard-fought win for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with Mohamed Salah’s penalty five minutes into the second half proving decisive. Thanks a million for joining us this afternoon — you can read our full match report here. Cya!
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