A Mohamed Salah penalty was the difference between Brighton and Liverpool, who returned to winning ways with a crucial 1-0 success at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Premier League leaders, who were made to work hard for all three points, with Brighton defending resolutely. The big chances came few and far between for Jurgen Klopp’s men, whose first real opening came five minutes into the second half.
Mohamed Salah created this opening, after he was tripped by Pascal Gross inside the Brighton box. The Egyptian stepped up to take the resulting penalty, and made no error in converting from the spot, with the goal proving to be the only time the scorers were disturbed on the day.
Brighton did pile on the pressure late on, but could not find the end product, as Salah’s penalty proved to be the difference. And, Liverpool fans hailed the impact of their talisman, as the Reds opened up a seven-point lead atop the Premier League table.
OUT OF THIS WORLD:
In the #PL since the start of last season…
⚽️Goals⚽️
Salah – 46
Hazard – 22?Assists?
Salah – 17
Hazard – 13 pic.twitter.com/QJQCwrYFHO— Mo Salah Facts (@MoSalahFacts) January 12, 2019
#StatistikGONG – Mohamed Salah vs Brighton:
78% pass accuracy
17/22 attacking third passes
3 chances created
3 dribbles won
1 goalDifference maker. ? ?? pic.twitter.com/x0h5wLGDQt
— cahliperpulpars (@cahliperpulpars) January 12, 2019
Not our best match but the important thing was to win to put pressure on the others teams
Man of the Match @MoSalah ?#MoSalah #LiverpoolFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/YVjpe5vHEk
— LiverpoolZone (@RedsSection) January 12, 2019
7⃣ goals in his last 7⃣ Premier League games. ?
Mo Salah is on ? #LFC ? pic.twitter.com/sCw0EDxrfA
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 12, 2019
Mohamed Salah is joint 1st in the Premier League for goals scored (14) and 2nd for assists (7).
One season wonder ? pic.twitter.com/4Mz90TMpSW
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) January 12, 2019
Great 2nd half from Salah. Took the game by the scruff of the neck, dropping deep at times to link play and start attacking moves. Scared the life out of their defenders whenever he ran at them. And of course, produces the match-defining moment.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) January 12, 2019
Salah scored the key goal to win us 30 points this season, 30 points ? pic.twitter.com/VCyIoARe5c
— SalaHolic ✪ (@Salah_holic) January 12, 2019
Mo Salah, Mo Salah running down the wing … ? pic.twitter.com/fatersDbB3
— Sandra Wood (@keaneswoody81) January 12, 2019
Fabinho was also lauded for performing exceptionally well in a largely alien position, after he was deployed as a centre-back yet again, with the Brazilian also producing a vital block in the second half.
Fabinho outstanding at CB today ??⚽️? #LFC #RedOrDead
— Conor H 1997 ?? (@conorYNWA1) January 12, 2019
Shout out to Fabinho for a great stand in at CB. Not his natural position, but you couldn’t tell that at all. Formed a nice and efficient CB pairing with Van Dijk.
— Maxi (@MaaxiAngelo) January 12, 2019
Fabinho deserves the praise for his performance at CB. Murray tried to target him throughout the game to find any room for error but the Brazilian was faultless today. Can’t wait to have him back in midfield where we missed him in the first half. What a player. pic.twitter.com/Zn0HKwBIZ7
— . (@VintageSalah) January 12, 2019
Thought Fabinho played very well at CB & if Gomez isn’t fit I would rather him start there ahead of Lovren and Matip, felt more confident.
— Billal Skanda (@BillalSkanda) January 12, 2019
What a player Fabinho is. Been superb as a holding mid but just as good today at center back. Looking like a bargain at 40m
— keith costigan (@KeithCostigan) January 12, 2019
Fans also praised Trent Alexander-Arnold for playing despite picking up a knock during warm-ups, amid an injury crisis for Liverpool.
Also, well done to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Played the entire game even with that injury scare in the warm-up and hardly put a foot wrong.
— SHAI (@Shaistah_K) January 12, 2019
Liverpool’s entire back line was outstanding today – but for a guy who wasn’t fully like fit that was a colossal performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Kept going and going and his stoppage time interception saved the game. Huge win. #BHALIV #LFC #YNWA pic.twitter.com/pRpr3Uk0kB
— Chetan Pathak (@ChetanPathak) January 12, 2019