Hugo Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0 at Anfield in a Premier League match on Saturday. Mohamed Salah also made an impact after coming off the bench to replace the injured Joe Gomez. The Egypt international, who faces an uncertain future at the club, provided an assist for Arne Slot’s side in his final game for the club before he joins his country’s AFCON squad.
Salah returned to the squad but was only on the bench at kick-off and could only watch and admire as Ekitike opened the scoring with the fastest goal of the Premier League season so far. Yankuba Minteh made a mistake in a cross ball headed by Gomez to Ekitike. The Frenchman quickly established control and then fired a powerful volley past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to give the Reds the lead after just 46 seconds.
There was more applause at Anfield in the 25th minute as the Salah saga took another twist. An injury to Gomez meant Arne Slot brought on his main man and watched him pass to Alexis Mac Allister for a chance with his first touch. Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch also had chances for the Reds but failed to convert as the hosts took a narrow 1-0 lead at half-time.
Brighton almost equalized early in the second half. Gomez, who escaped a red card just before half-time for a high challenge on Wirtz, raced around the far post to meet a low pass but the effort hit the post. Liverpool responded quickly and doubled their lead through Ekitike on the hour. Salah sent in a curling corner for the France international to score with a header and give the hosts some breathing space.
The match was ready for Salah to put the finishing touches before he leaves for international duty and he was presented with a golden opportunity in stoppage time. However, Salah could only shoot high over the crossbar so Liverpool had to settle for just two goals but a first win at home in the Premier League since November 1.
GOAL assessing Liverpool players from Anfield…
