What is it about Alisson Becker and Brighton and Hove Albion?
The Brazilian goalkeeper had only been a Liverpool player a matter of weeks when, on the Seagulls' visit to Anfield in August 2018, he decided to demonstrate his ability outside the area.
With Anthony Knockaert bearing down on him and collective hearts in mouths around Anfield, Alisson nonchalantly flicked the ball over the opponents' head and retrieved possession without a care in the world.
He got away it then. Here, though, .
This time, Alisson wandered out of his area to chase a hopeful punt forward he was never going to reach ahead of Leandro Trossard.
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Sure enough, the Brighton substitute got there first, the ball struck the outstretched right hand of the keeper and, despite the inevitable VAR check, Anfield for once had no complaints when referee Martin Atkinson brandished the red card.
, the rest of the stadium left to wonder just what had come over the Brazilian who until then had been a steadying influence.
And the goalkeeper will have a full week to consider his aberration, given .
It transformed what was a relatively comfortable encounter into yet another nerve-shredding affair, particularly when Lewis Dunk took advantage of the subsequent confusion after Adrian's hurried introduction to roll in the free-kick and halve Brighton's arrears.
Liverpool, ahead through , had 14 minutes plus injury time to negotiate at a numerical disadvantage, Adrian making one good save before almost fumbling another effort over his own goalline.
Having deputised admirably for the stricken Alisson earlier in the season, the Spaniard must do so again against Everton.
So very typical. After Manchester City surprisingly dropped points at Newcastle United and Chelsea were shocked at home by West Ham United, Liverpool have now moved 11 points clear at the top, although Leicester City can reduce that to eight again on Sunday.
But clearly there is no chance of Jurgen Klopp's doing things the easy way. Strap in, folks. That hectic December hasn't even started yet.
