Hugo Ekitike scored two goals to help Liverpool secure a deserved 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
With all the pre-match talk surrounding the return of Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian started on the bench for the Reds, who were looking to build on Tuesday’s impressive 1-0 victory at Inter Milan.
Arne Slot’s side couldn’t have dreamed of a better opening to the contest, with Ekitike collecting a brave header from Joe Gomez and firing beyond Bart Verbruggen after just 46 seconds.
Salah then came on in the 26th minute after defender Joe Gomez was forced off with an injury and Dominik Szoboszlai slotted in at right-back.
Brighton had chances to level but failed to take them, with an outstretched leg from Alisson denying Diego Gomez, who was through on goal, before Gomez also missed an open goal after the break.
And Liverpool punished Fabian Hurzeler’s side for their wastefulness when Salah’s corner picked out an unmarked Ekitike at the back post and he headed his second on the hour mark.
It was the Frenchman’s 10th goal of the season while Salah’s assist took him to 277 goal involvements in 302 Premier League appearances for Liverpool.
Victory pushed the Reds up to sixth as they extended their unbeaten run to five games following a first win at Anfield since November 4.
