Liverpool secures top spot with Mohamed Salah's stunning strike against Brighton

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his confidence in his team's ability to mount a serious title challenge after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Brighton & Hove Albion propelled them to the top of the English Premier League standings on November 2nd.

The Reds deservedly trailed at half-time to Ferdi Kadioglu’s sweet strike at Anfield.

But two quickfire goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah punished Brighton for not making more of their first-half superiority.

A 13th win in 15 games in charge for Slot takes Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City, who were beaten 2-1 at Bournemouth.

“We were outplayed in the first half,” admitted the Dutchman.

“We didn’t show up at all. The second half the players showed a different attitude and intensity.

“If you face a team like this and are 1-0 down and can come back to a 2-1 win, which in my opinion was deserved, that gives me a lot of confidence. More than the position we are in.”

Both sides were much-changed from the League Cup tie between the pair in midweek, which Liverpool edged 3-2.

Despite the Reds welcoming back a plethora of stars including Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, it was the Seagulls who dominated the first half and should have been out of sight before the break.

Kadioglu opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a blistering right-footed drive in off the inside of the post.

Liverpool were again without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker due to injury but his stand-in Caoimhin Kelleher produced a vital save from Georginio Rutter to prevent Brighton doubling their lead.

Kadioglu blazed over another big chance to make it 2-0 before a Danny Welbeck free kick hit the side-netting.

“Football is always a game of results and we need results, we have to understand how to get results,” said a frustrated Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler.

“The performance was good enough to win in this game easily. If we score the second or third goal the game is completely different.”

Slot’s half-time team talk had the desired effect as Liverpool tore out of the blocks in the second half.

Brighton had kept Salah quiet for an hour but the Egyptian should have punished the visitors when he failed to beat Bart Verbruggen one-on-one.

The home side needed some fortune to get the comeback started and it happened when Gakpo’s attempted cross flew into the far corner without getting a touch.

It took just another three minutes for Slot’s men to find the winner.

Liverpool broke at speed as Curtis Jones found Salah, who cut inside onto his trusted left foot and smashed into the top corner as the Reds held on for the win. AFP