Liverpool came from behind to beat Brighton at a rocking Anfield and go top of the Premier League on the day their two title rivals both suffered defeat.
Brighton had looked set to move up to third in the table when Ferdi Kadioglu’s fine strike from 16 yards flew in via the inside of the post in a first half they dominated.
But Cody Gakpo’s left-wing cross went straight into the net for Liverpool’s equaliser, his third goal against Albion in four days after his Carabao Cup double.
And Mohamed Salah curled a beauty into the far corner from the right side of the box to completely turn the game around three minutes later.
It was an especially impressive comeback because Brighton had been playing so well – and keeping the home crowd quiet at times.
They could have led by more but Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Georginio Rutter’s effort – before the second-half comeback.
Liverpool, who have won 13 of their 15 games under new manager Arne Slot, are two points above Manchester City after their shock defeat by Bournemouth, while Arsenal were beaten at Newcastle.
Liverpool show character to keep momentum going
It was the second time these sides had met this week, with Liverpool beating Brighton 3-2 at the Amex Stadium in the Carabao Cup. But with a total of 18 changes made between both sides from that game it was probably not entirely relevant to this one.
However Gakpo was the one Reds player to keep his place having scored twice in the win in Sussex.
The Reds have only lost once under Slot – at home against Nottingham Forest, who are now third in the table after their win over West Ham.
And it looked for quite a while as if they might have been on for a second defeat at Anfield.
The home fans were quiet at stages as they watched their team outplayed – and if not for a couple of saves from Kelleher they may have found themselves more than one goal behind.
They were much better in the second half, having seven shots on target compared to just one in the opening period.
Joe Gomez forced a save with a header moments after coming on at half-time and Virgil van Dijk should have done better when he mis-kicked a good chance.
Salah tried to dink the ball over the Brighton keeper but did not make enough contact and it was saved.
But they were growing into the game and the breakthrough came when Gakpo’s cross evaded everyone and went straight in. Striker Darwin Nunez seemed to celebrate but replays showed he did not get a touch.
And Salah was the hero yet again with a trademark curling shot from the right.
The Reds edged it after that and rarely looked like losing that lead.
Much to be proud of for Brighton
For a while Brighton looked as if they could be entering the title conversation.
Fabian Hurzeler, the youngest permanent Premier League manager ever at the age of 31, has carried on the excellent work of his predecessors and has them dreaming of even more.
They fully merited their lead when Danny Welbeck knocked Kaoru Mitoma’s cross onto summer signing Kadioglu, who scored his first goal in English football.
They had a glorious opportunity to double their lead when Jack Hinshelwood sent Rutter through but he shot straight at Kelleher.
But as Liverpool improved in the second half, Brighton offered less going forward – and only managed one effort on target after the break.
