Liverpool had spent 65 minutes fighting for every inch on the pitch against a determined Brighton but then a perfect first-time pass from Alexis Mac Allister found Mohamed Salah in yards of space. The forward soon had his arms outstretched as he and Anfield breathed a collective sigh of relief.
In a tight title race, being faultless in their final five home games looks like being a prerequisite if Liverpool are to lift the Premier League trophy in May. Few will give them a tougher time than Brighton as Roberto De Zerbi did his utmost to show he has the tactical nous to be Jürgen Klopp’s successor. Danny Welbeck silenced Anfield after 87 seconds but Brighton rarely left their half afterwards and the Liverpool roar returned thanks to Luis Díaz and Salah.
