Liverpool came from behind to secure a vital victory in the Premier League title race against a Brighton side that had plenty to offer at Anfield. Against his former side, Alexis Mac Allister was sensational.

Danny Welbeck, a former Manchester United player, put Brighton ahead after just two minutes with a fantastic goal. Anfield supporters were left angry by referee David Coote, but Luis Díaz managed to level the score just before halftime. It was fast-paced, intense, and very similar to how Liverpool vs. Brighton games generally go.

After the interval, Liverpool didn’t panic. The Reds pushed for a second goal to go ahead and patiently worked some opportunities. Dominik Szoboszlai crisply found Alexis Mac Allister, and the Argentine slipped in Mohamed Salah. From 10 yards, he calmly slotted into the corner. Díaz was millimeters away from making it 3-1 only to be called offside.

As they fought hard for 3 point at the Anfied, this is how we ranked.

Caoimhín Kelleher — 7

Could do nothing at all with the Welbeck screamer. Good with his feet, as is the norm, and didn’t have loads of shots to face. Liverpool did well to stop Brighton before its attackers got into shooting areas in the main.

Conor Bradley — 7

Began slowly but developed into a war with Simon Adingra, who was first quite animated but eventually lost some of his impact. The Liverpool defense realized that Brighton was trying to isolate Bradley, but Bradley resisted.

Jarell Quansah — 8

Didn’t look out of place alongside his captain and it was no real shock that he started. The Liverpool talent continues to get better and better and there is no game in which he would stand out as being youthful anymore. Welbeck caused problems but they were not of Quansah’s doing.

Virgil van Dijk — 7

Strong in the air and saw a bit less of the ball than usual in the build-up. Unfortunate to pick up a booking for a tackle that he felt wasn’t even a foul.

Joe Gomez — 7

Solid again in a defensive sense and did his best to get forward and help the attack. Once again, though, the shouts of ‘shoot’ are unnecessary! The goal will come for Gomez… eventually.

Dominik Szoboszlai — 8

The Hungarian got into some really good positions in advanced areas but they were often congested because of the set-up that Brighton uses. When it mattered, though, he found a perfect pass that helped create the winner.

Wataru Endo — 7

Put in a couple of strong tackles in the middle of the pitch and was useful as a screen in front of Welbeck a few times, where he was able to win a header and prevent an attack from developing. Mistimed a couple of things but generally steady.

Alexis Mac Allister — 9

Very, very tidy in the center of the field. Not that he had a point to prove against his former side, but he played well against them, to say the least. Liverpool needed his calming influence and the Reds benefited from both that and his creative spark.

Mohamed Salah — 8

Moved inside when he was unable to find that much space down the right and popped up a lot more centrally than he sometimes does. He looked the most likely avenue to a goal on most occasions and proved the match-winner.

Darwin Nunez — 6

Got a little lost in the sea of Brighton defenders at times with very little space in behind them. Replaced by Harvey Elliott inside the final 10 minutes of normal time.

Luis Díaz — 7

Like Salah, he was a lot more central as a result of the way that Brighton set up. That worked to his advantage at times (eg for the first half goal) but he might also have benefited from being wider in certain circumstances.

Substitutes

Harvey Elliott (on for Nunez, 82′) – 7

Worked hard and kept possession well – nearly scored with a glancing header and then some good creative passes.

Cody Gakpo (on for Diaz, 89′) – n/a

Booked. Otherwise quiet.

Ryan Gravenberch (on for Szoboszlai, 90′) – n/a

Nearly lost the ball in the dying seconds.