Liverpool v Brighton
Play By Play
Liverpool hold on to secure an impressive 2-0 win over Brighton at Anfield. The victory is Andoni Iraola's first at Anfield in the Premier League and ends a five game winless run for the Reds on their own patch. A Gross own goal got the hosts going on 17 minutes when Wirtz's effort inside the box ricocheted off the German before flying in beyond Verbruggen in the Brighton goal. Barcola then teed up Isak for Liverpool's second just four minutes later to stun the Seagulls. Brighton could easily have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Ayari skied from close range, and the Swedish attacker then struck the post later in the half from the edge of the Liverpool box. Brighton continued to ask questions of Liverpool in the second half, but couldn't turn their possession into chances, and their eight-match unbeaten run comes to an end on Merseyside. Liverpool recorded 0.87 xG to Brighton's 1.35, and the hosts now look to a home meeting with Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Brighton look to a trip to Manchester City in that competition on the same night. That's all for this one, thanks for joining us!
FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-0 BRIGHTON
Araujo delights the Liverpool fans with two more heavy challenges in his own half. The home crowd have really enjoyed his performance today.
There will be FOUR minutes of stoppage time. Still some time to go until Liverpool have the points in the bag...
Neither side has recorded a single shot on target in the second half.
Yalcouye has been a persistent thorn in Liverpool's side since coming on and asks more questions of the hosts' defence from the left. Araujo is there again to make a crucial block, though, and the chance goes begging.
Liverpool make another change as Tsimikas replaces Kerkez at left-back.
Liverpool concede a cheap free-kick outside their own box as Gakpo shoves Gross to the ground. Gross then looks to deliver a fizzing cross from the right, but the German makes a complete mess of things, and the ball flies behind for a Liverpool goal-kick.
Gakpo threatens again as he drives inside from the left before shooting with his right. Once again, though, the effort fails to hit the target and whistles past the post. Gakpo has looked threatening today, but the end product hasn't quite been there for the Dutchman.
This is all about game management now for Liverpool. If they're smart, they should be able to see this game out to move to fourth in the table.
Brighton get forward again through Rutter, who tries to pick out Kostoulas in the box. The latter is able to poke a toe at the cross, but it spins into the air kindly for Alisson, who gathers the ball in his hands.
Araujo gets the Liverpool fans on their feet with a crunching challenge on Yalcouye. The home crowd certainly enjoyed that.
For all of the positivity shown by Brighton today, the visitors have had just one shot on target so far in this game. The visitors just haven't been able to convert their 64.2% possession into chances.
Vuskovic puts his goalkeeper under a little pressure with a stray pass, which forces Verbruggen to race back before hoofing the ball clear.
The second half has seen just seven shots and not a single one on target.
Liverpool's Isak is also withdrawn and replaced by Koumas for the final 13 or so minutes.
Now it's Liverpool who make a couple of changes, with Barcola first making way for Ngumoha.
Brighton make another change as Rutter comes on for Ayari.
Liverpool's frustrations continue in front of goal as Barcola drags a left-footed effort wide from the edge of the Brighton box. The home crowd are getting a little tetchy...
Brighton defender Costinha is booked for a foul on Gakpo just as the Liverpool winger was breaking into space in the visitors' half.
Brighton are refusing to lie down here, but they can't quite find the killer pass to make the most of their dominance. A goal for the visitors would make for a really nervous ending in this one...
LIVERPOOL HAVE TO TAKE THESE CHANCES!! The hosts have another chance to score a third as Barcola frees Gakpo on the counter-attack. The Dutchman can't quite pick out Isak in the box, though, and Brighton clear again. Liverpool will be desperate to bag another and kill this game off as Brighton continue to threaten at the other end...
Liverpool win another corner down the right as Gakpo's shot from inside the box deflects behind off Costinha. Kerkez then delivers an inswinging cross, but Dunk gets up to head it clear.
Nyoni is called into action immediately as he makes a superb challenge to block De Cuyper's shot inside the Liverpool box. Ayari then follows up with a right-footed effort which sails just wide.
Liverpool make their first change as Wirtz makes way for Nyoni. Wirtz heads straight down the tunnel just minutes after picking up that knock from a collision with Ayari.
