Liverpool made it two wins from two on Saturday thanks to Hugo Ekitike’s second brace in as many Premier League matches. The Frenchman bagged his first just 47 seconds into the match after a poor clearance from Yankuba Minteh fell into his path, and he smashed a finish over the head of a helpless Bart Verbruggen.
After a week of gossip, intrigue and acrimony, Mohamed Salah was back on the bench for Liverpool and made his comeback much sooner than anyone might have expected as Joe Gomez came off injured after just 26 minutes. While he won and took the corner from which Ekitike scored his second of the day, it was a challenging comeback for the Egyptian, who was not at his best. He shot well over the bar under minimal pressure late in the match, and squandered a three-on-one counter-attack in injury time with a badly misplaced pass to Andy Robertson.
Brighton pressed hard in the dying stages as they looked to claw their way back into the match, but squandered a series of presentable chances and headed back down south empty-handed. Catch up with the action as it happened below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.
Liverpool vs Brighton latest news
- GOAL! Ekitike secures brace
- Salah on to replace Gomez
- GOAL! Ekitike scores early opener
- Liverpool XI
- Brighton XI
FULL TIME: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:59 , Arthur FerridgeThree points for Liverpool!
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:57 , Arthur Ferridge90+7mins: Another golden opportunity for Liverpool to score on the counter. The Reds have a three-on-one and it was Salah with the ball at his feet, but he massively overhits a very simple pass to Robertson. It is far too easy for Verbruggen.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:56 , Arthur Ferridge90+6mins: It is a frenetic finish here. Liverpool attack through Isak, who has been quiet since coming on, but he can’t quite threaten Verbruggen.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:54 , Arthur Ferridge90+4mins: Alisson makes a big save to cut out a Minteh cross as Kerkez goes down with cramp.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:52 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: SALAH HOWLER! Liverpool fly away on the counter and Chiesa pulls a lovely cross over to Salah, who launches it over the bar.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:50 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: There will be EIGHT added minutes!
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:50 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Kadioglu shoots well wide. Brighton pushing hard for a goal but it just isn’t happening for them.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:47 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Mac Allister is back on his feet, and Liverpool legend James Milner comes on for Brighton!
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:45 , Arthur Ferridge86mins: A break in play as Mac Allister goes down injured and requires treatment. He took an awkward fall after challenging for a header.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:43 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: Szoboszlai comes off for Chiesa.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:41 , Arthur Ferridge81mins: Jones is caught in an awkward spot in his own box under pressure from Rutter. He twists, turns, and leaves Liverpool fans nervous, but eventually draws a foul to relieve the pressure.
Welbeck and Kostoulas are on for Brighton.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:40 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Salah plays a clever pass to Isak but Verbruggen reacts quickly to get to it first.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:37 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Ekitike comes off to be replaced by Isak, and Wirtz by Robertson.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:37 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Rutter plays Wieffer in behind, but his shot from a tight angle is well over.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:36 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Ekitike is back on his feet after going down clutching his hamstring.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:35 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Liverpool weather another Brighton attack and counter through Salah and Wirtz. The Egyptian decides to go alone and has his shot blocked.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:31 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: Minteh looks to break to the by-line but takes too heavy a touch and clatters the advertising hoardings as he looks to recover.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:30 , Arthur Ferridge70mins: Szoboszlai is back to his feet, and it looks like he can play on.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:29 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: This does not look good at all for Szoboszlai. Liverpool’s right-back issues compound.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:28 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: A bright flash from Mitoma at the other end as he cuts in off the right and shoots narrowly wide.
Szoboszlai is down injured, though, clutching his ankle.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:27 , Arthur Ferridge68mins: Mac Allister hits a smart ball over the top for Salah, but Dunk is at full stretch and gets a toe to it to deny the Egyptian the chance.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:25 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Brighton slice through the Liverpool defence but Minteh’s final touch is much too heavy and Alisson is quick to smother.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:24 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Konate goes into the book as Mitoma and Ayari replace Gruda and Baleba.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:23 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Mitoma is being readied to come on. If all else fails...
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
16:22 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: A long way back for Brighton now. What if Diego Gomez had scored that tap-in at the back post just a few minutes ago?
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Brighton | Ekitike '61
16:20 , Arthur FerridgeSalah drops his corner at the back post, and Ekitike hits a bullet header into the back of the net!
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:19 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Salah gets a shot away, and Verbruggen parries it around the post.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:18 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Another pacey Liverpool counter ends with Ekitike failing to demand Verbruggen’s intervention.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:17 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: Since coming on, Mohamed Salah has not done a huge amount to show Arne Slot he was wrong to drop him.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:16 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Gruda works a nice space on the edge of the box and flashes one past the right post.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:13 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Salah gets in the way of Szoboszlai’s shot and is flagged offside in the process.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:11 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Goodness me - that is the worst miss you’ll see this weekend. A wonderful move from Brighton and Wieffer plays a perfect cross to Gomez at the back post. He gets to it inside the six-yard box and somehow misses wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:10 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Great solo effort from Ekitike, who wins the ball on the left-hand side and drives inside, but is once again let down by his finish. He had several options to pass.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:08 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: It has been an end-to-end start to the second half here as Brighton press forward in attack but are halted before Wirtz storms up the pitch on the counter. He is fouled, though.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:07 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Salah fends off Kadioglu and drives at goal with acres of space. His cross leaves a bit to be desired. Wonder if he’s feeling a bit rusty.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:05 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: Worth pointing out that as Brighton chase a goal, they have Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck on the bench. Proven goalscorers, both of them.
2ND HALF: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
16:04 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway at Anfield, with plenty still to play for. No changes at the break for either side.
HALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:49 , Arthur FerridgeThere’s the break!
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Three minutes added on to end the first half.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:44 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Gravenberch sees another long-shot deflected away. The Reds are camped in Brighton’s third.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:43 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Wirtz sees a shot blocked before Gravenberch latches onto the rebound and draws a save from Verbruggen. Liverpool look so strong here - a second goal before half-time would not surprise me at all.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:42 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: Szoboszlai lines up another set-piece, which Rutter clears but only as far as Wirtz.
The Reds come again but are well defended. Minteh leaves Jones in his wake on the counter, but Konate recovers to block his shot.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Gravenberch makes a fair but heavy tackle on Kadioglu, but the referee blows it up in favour of the Brighton man.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:36 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: The corner falls to Wirtz, who fluffs his lines and Brighton fly away on the counter. Minteh floats a horrendous cross behind the goal, though. Fabian Hurzeler looks, shall we say, unimpressed.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:35 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Szoboszlai takes the free-kick and Mac Allister shoots over, but Liverpool are awarded a corner.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:35 , Arthur Ferridge34mins: Salah is causing Brighton problems. His cross hits Kadioglu’s arm, and Liverpool have a free-kick high on the right flank.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:32 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Salah tees one up for Szoboszlai, who runs onto the ball at pace and hits a rather exuberant shot way up into the Kop. Great connection, to be fair to him.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:30 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Nota bene - Szoboszlai looks to have dropped in at right-back to accomodate Salah.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:30 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: A flashy Liverpool counter ends with Ekitike looping another shot wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:28 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Salah nearly has an immediate assist! He picks up the ball on the right flank and drives into the box, squaring for Wirtz who in turn squares for Ekitike, by which time Verbruggen is off his line to collect.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:26 , Arthur Ferridge26mins: Joe Gomez comes off injured, and Mo Salah replaces him!
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Reminiscing on Ekitike’s opener as Gomez receives treatment. He just absolutely wellied it into the roof of the goal. It flew right over Verbruggen’s head, but there really wasn’t much he could do about it.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:24 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Uh oh. Joe Gomez is down on his haunches and looks to have a problem.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:23 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: This blossoming Wirtz/Ekitike partnership is a very fun watch.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:21 , Arthur Ferridge21mins: Ekitike finds himself in a dangerous area once again, thanks to Wirtz’s cut-back, but his shot dragged wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:19 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Kerkez sets Liverpool away with an uncompromising ‘let them know you’re there’ type of tackle on Rutter.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:17 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: While Liverpool were much improved against Inter Milan midweek, I did think they still looked remarkably vulnerable in transition, and that is still proving to be the case here. Minteh looks a dangerous outlet.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:16 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: With that said, Liverpool attack through Gomez, who skips down the right flank and picks out Ekitike, whose shot is well over the bar.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:15 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: To their credit, Brighton have livened up a bit since going behind. Much better in the last few minutes.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:14 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: HUGE CHANCE FOR BRIGHTON! A great through-ball from Minteh has Gomez one-on-one with Alisson, but the Brazilian is quick off his line to smother it.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Liverpool come again and Wirtz dances into the box, but Van Hecke makes a crucial intervention to stop him short. Brighton counter through Minteh, whose shot bends just wide of the far post.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:11 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Rutter has a crack from some 30 yards, maybe more. Not particularly threatening. He’ll need to do a lot better than that to worry Alisson.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:10 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Liverpool are remarkably solid at the back. Any time Brighton come forward they are locked down almost immediately, and the hosts seem to have something about them on the counter.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:10 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: A penny for this man’s thoughts after watching Ekitike score again from the bench.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:08 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: Liverpool come again after Jones wins possession in midfield. Ekitike makes a foray up the left but runs into traffic and recycles via Wirtz. Mac Allister finds himself on the ball in the box moments later, but his shot is tamely hit and wide of the mark.
Liverpool attacking like a warm knife through day-old butter at the moment.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:06 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Brighton are all at sea, they look rattled by that early goal. Baleba loses it in midfield and Liverpool flood forwards, but they can’t do anything with the position this time around.
Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
15:04 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: I do believe that is the fastest goal of the Premier League season so far. Crossed the line after 56 seconds, by my count.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Brighton | Ekitike '1
15:02 , Arthur FerridgeWell, that didn’t take long! A dreadful start from Brighton. Minteh miss-hits a clearance and Gomez heads it into the box for Ekitike, who slams it home.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Brighton
15:00 , Arthur FerridgeAnd it’s live!
Here come the players
14:56 , Arthur FerridgeThe squads are out. Kick-off is mere moments away!
Not long to go...
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeWith ten minutes to go until kick-off, here’s a reminder of today’s squads.
Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Ekitike, Szoboszlai
Brighton: Verbruggen; Dunk, Van Hecke, Gruda, Georginio, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Kadioglu, Gomez, Wieffer
Hurzeler previews the match
14:41 , Arthur FerridgeFabian Hurzeler thinks Brighton can come away with something today, but they will need ‘togetherness’ and ‘courage’ to do so.
He told the club’s in-house media channels: “I want to see a team full of togetherness, full of belief to win today. In football, no matter where you are going you need courage.
“I think [last week’s draw with West Ham] was just one game. This is an opportunity to make it better.
“Liverpool are a top team with top players and a top coach. They can win every trophy in the world, but we are here to focus on us.”
Welbeck dropped?
14:36 , Arthur FerridgeDanny Welbeck drops to the bench for Brighton today with Jack Hinshelwood preferred - it is Fabian Hurzeler’s only change.
The veteran striker has seven goals and one assist in 17 appearances this season, but is without a return in his last three outings.
The Gulls are on location
14:29 , Arthur FerridgeAlbion have arrived! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/bjai36fQkQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 13, 2025
Alexander Isak injury update
14:25 , Arthur FerridgeSpeaking to BBC Sport, Arne Slot issues an update on Alexander Isak’s knock pre-match: "Minor. Got a knock in both games. Games come quite fast and there is also not so much to choose from.
“Nice to have someone from the bench who can impact the game."
On beating Inter, he adds: "Quite proud because playing four games in 10 days - that is almost criminal for football players.
"Especially if you have only 13-14 outfield players that are available. We accept playing a lot of games, but four in 10 days. That is a lot to take for players."
Liverpool landmarks
14:18 , Arthur FerridgeIt is a big day here for two members of the Liverpool squad.
For Virgil van Dijk, it will be a 250th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. He’s done alright in that time, I think.
And for Curtis Jones, it is a 200th Liverpool appearance - also a massive achievement!
Last time out: Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
14:10 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool brushed off the absence of the exiled Mohamed Salah with a 1-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan in San Siro.
With their regular penalty-taker left at home after his extraordinary outburst against head coach Arne Slot and the club after Saturday's draw at Leeds it was left to Dominik Szoboszlai to step up and convert an 88th-minute spot-kick.
That may point to the future in one aspect but the manner of the victory, which moved Liverpool back into the top eight with an improved chance of avoiding the play-offs, offered the first signs of resilience of an otherwise brittle season.
Current form meant Salah's presence in Italy may not have been the essential ingredient it had so often been but this represented progress against a team which had won seven of their last nine and was on an 18-match unbeaten home run in Europe.
Read the full match report here!
What of the Brighton team?
14:02 , Arthur FerridgeThis Brighton side’s bench is arguably more interesting than the XI.
Among the substitutes are Danny Welbeck, James Milner, and Kaoru Mitoma, all of whom will hope to play a role here.
Carlos Baleba takes up his customary place in midfield.
What to make of the Liverpool squad
13:55 , Arthur FerridgeThat is a strong side from Slot.
Isak, presumably, is not fit to start and drops to the bench.
It will be Hugo Ekitike up top instead today as a lone striker.
On the bench is one Mohamed Salah, as expected, while Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa join him amongst the substitutes.
BRIGHTON TEAM NEWS
13:47 , Arthur FerridgeHere come the visitors.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Dunk, Van Hecke, Gruda, Georginio, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Kadioglu, Gomez, Wieffer
Subs: Steele, Welbeck, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Mitoma, Ayari, De Cuyper, Veltman
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
13:46 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot names his side to face Brighton.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Ekitike, Szoboszlai
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Isak, Salah, Chiesa, Robertson, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Lucky
Will Isak feature?
13:40 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot revealed a surprise knock for Alexander Isak in his pre-match press conference.
The Dutchman suggested he wanted his star striker to start alongside Hugo Ekitike again, but will he be fit to do so?
We will find out in five short minutes!
True dedication
13:35 , Arthur FerridgeOne fan has his impressive Liverpool-themed tattoo sleeve on display outside the ground...
Milner's homecoming
13:29 , Arthur FerridgeJames Milner could be involved for Brighton today.
The former England international, now 39, racked up 332 appearances for the Reds in an eight-year stay at Anfield.
He has played against Liverpool some 24 times in his lengthy career, winning on just five occasions.
Mitoma returns
13:22 , Arthur FerridgeKaoru Mitoma has not appeared for Brighton since September, when he picked up an injury in the second half of the Seagulls’ 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
He has only made six appearances so far this season, but has two goal contributions to show for it.
Can he make a splash on return to the side at Anfield?
What did Mohamed Salah actually say?
13:15 , Arthur FerridgeSalah’s big interview after the Leeds draw was quite the watch. Here is a small selection of his quotes.
“I can’t believe it, that I'm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. I think it's the third time I've been benched. It's the first time in my career.
"I'm very disappointed, I've done so much for this club. Everyone has seen it in recent years, especially last season.
“I don't know why I'm sitting on the bench. It feels like the club is throwing me under the bus, that's how I feel.
“This is not acceptable for me. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t get it. I think if this was somewhere else, the club would protect its player.
“The club promised me a lot in the summer, but I've been on the bench for three games. I can't say they've kept their promises.
"I've said a few times before that I have a good relationship with the manager and now all of a sudden we have no relationship. I don't know why.”
Mohamed Salah: The upshot
13:07 , Arthur FerridgeMohamed Salah is back in the LIverpool squad today, after a week of acrimonious fallout.
He gave a remarkable interview after last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Leeds in which he said he felt the club had ‘thrown me under the bus’ for recent poor results.
He was subsequently dropped from the side to face Inter, but is back in contention today.
Salah will depart Merseyside to join up with Egypt’s AFCON camp after the match and will wave a teary goodbye to the Liverpool fans before he goes.
Will he return in January, though? Remains to be seen...
Liverpool vs Brighton head to head
13:00 , Arthur FerridgeThe two sides met three times across all competitions last season. Liverpool won two of those, including the corresponding fixture in the Premier League where Salah inspired a comeback victory.
Liverpool wins: 23
Brighton wins: 8
Draws: 12
Liverpool predicted XI
12:55 , Arthur FerridgePredicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Isak, Ekitike
Injured: Gakpo, Endo, Leoni
Doubts: Frimpong, Isak
Standard Sport prediction
12:50 , Arthur FerridgeDue to the noise surrounding Salah’s absence, it has somewhat been lost that Liverpool secured a big result against Inter Milan.
A clean sheet should do Slot’s side the world of good. But, as seen on many occasions this season, it could be a false dawn from the reigning Premier League champions.
Anfield is no longer the fortress it once was with Liverpool failing to win any of their last three home games - losing two of them by a three-goal margin - and we think the visitors can get something here.
Draw, 2-2.
Brighton early team news: Kaoru Mitoma back in the fold
12:45 , Arthur FerridgeAs for Brighton, James Milner should return from injury against his former club while Kaoru Mitoma and Yasin Ayari are also in line to feature at Anfield.
Carlos Baleba plays his final game before AFCON duty but Adam Webster is a long-term absentee and the match comes too soon for Solly March to make his comeback.
Tom Watson is back fit but Stefanos Tzimas will miss the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Liverpool early team news: Mohamed Salah returns
12:40 , Arthur FerridgeMohamed Salah is set to return to the Liverpool squad on Saturday, though he may have to make do with another seat on the bench.
Alexander Isak picked up a knock against Inter and Cody Gakpo is still out, along with Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni.
Federico Chiesa is back from illness, though the game will come too soon for Jeremie Frimpong. Conor Bradley is suspended.
How to watch Liverpool vs Brighton
12:35 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm GMT, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.20pm.
Follow all the action right here with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog!
Good afternoon
12:29 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Brighton in the Premier League!
The Reds are fresh off the back of a big Champions League win and have Mohamed Salah back in the side after he settled his differences with Arne Slot. Can they mark the occasion with a big home win today?
Kick-off is pencilled in for 3pm. Stick with us!
