Liverpool set a club record - and loses in Brighton

In his milestone game, Mohamed Salah pushed the ball past the empty net and missed the chance to make it 3-1. IMAGO/Shutterstock

Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler rewarded substitute goalscorer Gruda with a start after the 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers . For the Reds and coach Arne Slot, Chiesa, among others, celebrated his first start of the Premier League season. At the same time, Salah, who captained the team for the first time in his 300th Premier League game for LFC, became the fourth African, after Yaya Touré (353), Zaha (305), and Jordan Ayew (303), to play at least 300 games in England's top flight.

Already champions, Liverpool had a clear goal: to score in every away game of the season for the first time in the club's history. After Gakpo's first goal and Salah's early efforts (eighth), it took just nine minutes for the new club record to be set. After a strong attack, Elliott only had to push the ball over the line.

What followed was a fast-paced, evenly matched encounter, as Brighton also became increasingly active. After Bradley missed a chance to make it 2-0 (22'), Welbeck had the equalizer on his head (29'). Three minutes later, however, the goal came anyway. Gruda, who was playing well overall, chipped the ball into the path of Ayari, who beat Alisson with a low shot (32'). Just as it looked as if the score would be 1-1 at halftime, Szoboszlai impressively demonstrated his shooting skills (45+1).

After the break, an open exchange of blows developed, with chances on both sides. Welbeck (50th, 59th) was denied twice by Alisson, while Salah shot wide of the empty net at the other end, missing what seemed like a sure 3-1 lead (54th). Minutes later, the Egyptian missed the next chance, this time also due to a strong save by Verbruggen (67th).

Two minutes earlier, Hürzeler had substituted Mitoma – a move that would pay off. The Japanese equalized with a follow-up shot in the 69th minute to make it 2-2. But it wasn't just this move that the substitute was responsible for causing quite a stir in the Seagulls' game. He was also on hand with the penultimate pass when Hinshelwood, who had just been substituted on, pushed O'Riley's half-height cross over the line in the 85th minute. The flag went up, but after a VAR check, the goal was allowed.