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Liverpool ended their Anfield drought with a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, inspired by a brace from Hugo Ekitike.
Pre-match focus centred on Mohamed Salah’s omission from the starting XI, but the debate was settled just 47 seconds after kick-off. A loose clearance from Yankuba Minteh was capitalised on by Joe Gomez, whose header inside Brighton territory sent Ekitike through on goal.
In a match reported by ESPN, the forward controlled the ball on his chest before firing past Bart Verbruggen to give Liverpool an early lead.
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Ekitike had further chances to extend the advantage before the break, while Brighton went close through Diego Gomez, only for Alisson Becker to produce a fine save. Gomez was fortunate to escape with a yellow card after a high challenge on Florian Wirtz, a decision upheld following a VAR review.
Brighton missed a golden opportunity to draw level early in the second half when Gomez slid wide at the back post from Mats Wieffer’s low cross.
Salah was introduced in the 25th minute following an injury to Joe Gomez and made an immediate impact after the interval, delivering a pinpoint corner to the back post for Ekitike to head home unmarked and double Liverpool’s lead.
The hosts could have added to the scoreline late on, with Salah wasting two breakaway chances in stoppage time, but Ekitike’s double proved sufficient.
The win was Liverpool’s first at Anfield in four matches and only their third Premier League victory in 11 outings.
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