Brighton 0-1 Liverpool: Player ratings as Mohamed Salah scores crucial winner

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  • Jordan Henderson with goalscorer Mohamed Salah

    Liverpool returned to 2018/19 Premier League action without their unbeaten record, but a 1-0 win at Brighton – courtesy of a Mohamed Salah penalty – ensured their gap at the top of the table was back at seven points.

    Defeat to Manchester City on January 3rd – they’re next in action on Monday – and a third-round FA Cup exit to Wolves meant Jurgen Klopp’s side had opened up 2019 without a victory.

    However, despite struggling to make inroads against an organised Brighton outfit, they squeezed another important three points from a tight fixture thanks to Salah’s second-half penalty.

    The Egyptian was their best attacker after the break and he was hauled down by Pascal Gross after slaloming into the box. He then emphatically dispatched the resulting penalty in the 50th minute for his 14th Premier League goal of the season, his 17th in all competitions.

    Below, we rate how the league leaders fared at the Amex Stadium.

    LIVERPOOL 4-2-3-1

    Alisson 6 – Relatively relaxed fixture for the Brazilian goalkeeper considering Brighton failed to muster a single shot on target for the first hour. A 13th clean sheet of the season is a welcome statistic.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold 6 – Huge concern greeted the opening whistle with the young full-back struggling after rolling his ankle in the warm-up. Perhaps explains why he was a little more restrained, although he made a vital interception late on.

    Virgil van Dijk 7 – A 50th Liverpool appearance for Van Dijk and this was much like the other 49. Read the game so well and helped to calm any anxieties around Fabinho’s new role in alongside him.

    Fabinho 6 – Glenn Murray is far from the most mobile forward so was never likely going to test the Brazilian too much. However, he was still caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Did produce a great block to deny Gross, though.

    Andrew Robertson 8 – Same every week. Liverpool struggled for fluidity in this fixture but the Scot remained brilliant. A massive threat going forward, dangerous delivery as his signature and more than at ease to quell any Brighton attacks when flying back into his defensive slot.

    Giorgino Wijnaldum 7 – Can’t be misstated how his recoveries when teams try to clear danger is so important. Was the brighter of Liverpool’s midfield with his neat touches and angled passes giving the visitor’s control where it mattered.

    Jordan Henderson 5 – Against a deep defensive block, Henderson is not the man you want in midfield. For the big games, it more than makes sense to have his energy and efficiency in there. But he was far too safe against Brighton and he struggled to make an impact.

    Xherdan Shaqiri 6 – Operated out wide in the FA Cup defeat to Wolves but returned to a central berth against Brighton. Looks more comfortable there but this wasn’t his best display. Was hooked with Klopp constantly on his back for the Swiss’s slow transitions defensively.

    Roberto Firmino 6 – Dropped the ball off into midfield effectively and then tried to find some space in attacking areas. Buzzed around without the boldness we’ve become accustomed to during his time for the Reds.

    Sadio Mane 7 – He was probably Liverpool’s biggest threat in the first half and whenever he pulled wide to the left touchline, looked to create trouble for the visitors, either by roaming in field or fizzing a cross into the box.

    Mohamed Salah 8 – The Egyptian turned it on after the break. Barely featured in the first 45 minutes but then turned on the style when they needed it most. Won the penalty, scored it and then endeavoured to create or nab another. Did miss a sitter late on, however, which will no doubt infuriate Fantasy Premier League owners.

    SUBSTITUTES

    James Milner 6 – Seemed to warm up for an eternity with Alexander-Arnold threatening to come off from virtually the first minute. Did arrive after the break to replace Shaqiri as Klopp opted for midfield control with a switch from 4-2-3-1 into 4-3-3.

    Naby Keita N/A – Brought into the action late on for Mane to run down the clock.

    Divock Origi N/A – Stoppage-time switch for goalscorer Salah.

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