Liverpool beat Brighton to climb into fourth place
Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield with both goals coming before half-time. A Pascal Gross own goal and Alexander Isak’s finish extended the hosts’ winning run across all competitions to four matches and moved them fourth in the league. Brighton threatened through Yasin Ayari, while Florian Wirtz later left with an ankle problem.
Sports··Morning
Two first-half goals lift Liverpool
Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield in England’s Premier League and moved into fourth place. Both goals arrived before the interval, extending Andoni Iraola’s side’s winning run across all competitions to four matches. Florian Wirtz struck after a partially cleared cross, with the ball going in off Pascal Gross for an own goal. Bradley Barcola then blocked an attempted clearance, recovered possession and crossed for Alexander Isak to finish from close range.[1], [2]
Ayari threatens before Liverpool protect their lead
Brighton had chances to change the match. Yasin Ayari sent an early opportunity over the bar and later hit the post. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved efforts from Cody Gakpo and Ronald Araujo, while Jacquet and Araujo made important interventions at the other end. Liverpool had brought Isak, Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Barcola into the starting side after the midweek Villarreal fixture. The hosts kept a clean sheet through the second half in front of 60,404 spectators.[1], [2]
Wirtz’s ankle needs checking
Wirtz left with an ankle problem and was replaced by Trey Nyoni. The substitute stopped Maxim De Cuyper from getting a shot away inside Liverpool’s penalty area. Wirtz said afterwards that the injury did not appear serious but needed checking; Iraola said the player had twisted his ankle and did not feel fully fit to continue. Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler said his team had gifted the goals through easy mistakes while failing to take its own chances.[2]
