Salah helps Liverpool take top spot from Man City
The Egyptian striker scored the only goal in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Brighton on the evening of August 25.
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Salah's goal. Photo:Reuters. |
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Salah scored two goals in three rounds in the Premier League this season. Photo:AFP. |
Goal: Salah 23'
The striker who scored 32 goals in the Premier League last season has continued to score regularly as he enters the new season. Salah executed a tricky left-footed shot, sending the ball low into the far corner despite goalkeeper Mathew Ryan diving. This was the situation when the Brighton player lost the ball right in the middle, allowing Firmino to assist Salah to score.
Salah's goal was enough to help Liverpool surpass their big rivals Man City on the Premier League table. Jurgen Klopp's team can completely keep the top spot after the third round because the teams that can usurp their position are Chelsea, Watford and Tottenham, who are at least three goals behind on goal difference.
It wasn't a quality game for Salah, who squandered chances other than scoring. But once again the Egyptian forward had a game-changing moment for Liverpool. Since joining the club last summer, Salah has been directly involved in 45 Premier League goals, including 34 goals and 11 assists. That's 12 more than the next-best player.
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Goalkeeper Alisson rushes out to block Solly March of Brighton. Photo:Offside. |
Brighton were impressive in their second-round win over Man Utd but travelling to Anfield at the moment is a daunting experience. The hosts soon warned Brighton with a series of dangerous chances in the opening minutes. Sadio Mane shot wide and Firmino forced Ryan to show his skills, before Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the crossbar with a free-kick.
However, Liverpool lost their attacking momentum after the opening goal. The home side were expecting more counter-attacks but Brighton showed they could make Liverpool regret it. Brighton's hero against Man Utd, Pascal Gross, almost scored if goalkeeper Alisson had not made a brilliant save to block the header.
Alisson's arrival has given Liverpool's defence a boost. The team has won three games in a row, scoring seven goals and conceding none. This is a significant change from Liverpool's notoriously poor record against lesser opponents last season.
Line-up
Liverpool: Alisson ; Alexander-Arnold (Matip 89'), Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Keita (Henderson 67'), Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane (Sturridge 79').
Brighton: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Balogun, Bong; Knockaert (Jahanbaksh 75'), Stephens, Bissouma (Gross 80'), Propper, March (Locadia 75'); Murray.
