Liverpool halted Brighton’s impressive run this season after defeating them 2-0, returning to the top four of the Premier League and handing their supporters a long-awaited victory at Anfield.
The win came as part of the eighth round of the competition, against an opponent that entered the fixture brimming with confidence under Fabian Hürzeler, while Andoni Iraola’s side sought to capitalize on their recent momentum and continue climbing the table.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 17th minute through a goal credited on Liverpool’s official website as an own goal by Pascal Groß. Alexander Isak then doubled the lead in the 21st minute, converting a setup from Bradley Barcola to hand the Reds an early cushion that they maintained until the final whistle.
Taking down Brighton was no ordinary feat, given that the Seagulls entered the match on a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, having claimed five victories in their opening seven league rounds while scoring 23 goals—including a 3-0 win over Arsenal and a 5-0 thumping of Crystal Palace.
Liverpool raised their tally to 15 points in fourth place, trailing third-placed Brighton by a single point and sitting six points adrift of leaders Manchester City and second-placed Arsenal (both tied at the top on 21 points), adding further significance to their victory over a direct top-four rival.
The match also delivered Liverpool’s first home league victory of the campaign, following draws against Nottingham Forest and Fulham and a defeat to Manchester City. It also marked their second consecutive league win, coming on the heels of a 2-1 away victory against Brentford in the previous round.
The Reds now shift their focus to hosting Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday, October 28, in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, before welcoming Arsenal on Sunday, November 1, in a direct test against one of the league leaders.
Following that, Liverpool travels to Turkey to face Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 4, then visits Crystal Palace in the league on Sunday, November 8, before returning from the international break to host Manchester United on November 22.
In Sunday’s other fixtures, Hull City drew 1-1 with Brentford, Newcastle held a 2-0 lead over Crystal Palace going into stoppage time, while Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth, with the day’s action concluding with Sunderland facing Leeds United.
