By Sneha Santra

That is back-to-back wins for Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool won against Brighton, securing a 2-0 win in the Premier League. Hugo Ekitike stole the show with a first-minute goal followed by a second in front of the Kop to claim his second brace in two weekends. Meanwhile, Mohammed Salah marked his return after a period of controversy as his pivotal assist earned him a huge round of applause. The result brought a much-needed boost in confidence as they navigate through this season. 

The early breakthrough gave Liverpool breathing room, but did not turn the contest into a procession. Brighton fought throughout with composure, refusing to let the game slip away despite the lightning fast setback. 

Ekitike’s Instant Impact

Liverpool could not have scripted a better start. Just seconds after the Kickoff, Hugo scored! The goal not only ignited Brighton, but changed the whole rhythm at Anfield. His movement throughout the match was sharp and relentless. His second goal, which came from positioning inside the box, underlined his growing confidence and importance in Liverpool’s attacking setup. More than just the goals, it was his insane off-the-ball discipline that stood out. 

Credit: The Empire of the Kop

Salah’s Return and Anfield’s Response

Credit: Sky Sports

On Saturday, all eyes were on Mohamed Salah, his assist for Ekitike’s second goal, drawing a huge applause for him. Although he did not get on the scoresheet himself and arguably should have done after blazing a close range effort that Federico Chiesa put on a plate for him, the assist proved everything to the people.

Brighton’s Resilience & Liverpool’s Defensive Solidarity

Credit: Standard.co.uk

Liverpool’s defensive performance deserves serious praise. After recent reports of inconsistencies at the back, this showcased a more disciplined and compact unit. The centre-backs communicated well, and the full-backs balanced their attacking runs with defensive responsibility. The calm and controlled approach of Liverpool is something it lacked before. 

Brighton did not sit back either. Their build-up was excellent to begin with. Having a few good chances which on another day may have saw this result favour The Reds far less than it ultimately did; however, it lacked the finishing touch. However, Liverpool stayed strong throughout the game. 

Liverpool required Alisson to be on top form as a one on one opportunity for Diego Gomez was denied by the Brazilian shot stopper before he missed a glaring chance at the back post in the second-half.

Diego Gomez wasn't involved without controversy either, as he should have been dismissed from the game following a high foot on Florian Wirtz which ultimately was given a yellow card for. Referee Craig Pawson issued the yellow card for the mistimed challenge and the incident was checked by VAR Darren England. It was decided that a yellow card was sufficient, despite pundits and the home fans believing otherwise.

Credit: Goal.com

Final Thoughts

Moving forward, for Liverpool, this victory is more than just three points. It is a pure concoction of belief, unbelievable momentum, and signs of cohesion in the squad. Ekitike’s performance in this match is exceptionally brilliant; he emerged as a beacon of hope. Salah’s comeback was worth watching; he let his skills do the talking.

Now, Salah’s presence brought belief and balance to Liverpool’s attack, stretching defences. If this performance is a sign, then it is very likely that Salah’s reintegration is what Liverpool needs to regain strength, consistency, and push strongly through the remainder of this season after his trip to the Africa Cup of Nations over the Christmas period. 

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton was not just a regular win! It strengthens the much-needed confidence and sets the tone for the rest of this year. For Liverpool, it feels like a massive step up in the right direction. A performance balanced with integrity and control.