Pay attention Klopp, Owen gives key to Liverpool winning the Premier League again

Brighton faced the visiting Reds and soon took the lead when they capitalised on a big mistake by Argentine Alexis Mac Allister from Virgil van Dijk's pass. He anticipated South American Simon Adingra who, from distance, low and placed the ball beyond Alisson's reach. Liverpool rolled up their sleeves and took control of the game. By the time the home side realised it, they were cornered, at the expense of their opponents' finishing. In less than five minutes, just before half-time, Klopp's side turned the tide. They equalised in the 40th minute, in a choral attacking move by the visitors. Colombian Luis Díaz found Uruguay's Darwin Núñez on the edge of the area and he found Mohamed Salah unmarked. With space, the African is infallible, and he beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to equalise.

One before half-time came Liverpool's second goal. It came from a penalty after De Zerbi's side had made a mistake on the break. Bart Verbruggen sent the ball to Pascal Gross who, in the struggle to reach the ball, caught the Hungarian Dominik Szoboszlai and dragged him down to prevent his shot. Salah made no mistake from 11 yards to put the Reds ahead at the end of the first half. Brighton had to take their chances and stepped up a gear in the second half. Simon Adingra could have equalised early on but Alisson responded and then, just before the quarter-hour mark, Liverpool could have sealed it through Ryan Gravenberch who crashed the ball against the crossbar.

Brighton left space at the back and Klopp's side found themselves at ease, at will. Luis Diaz could also have scored the visitors' third but in the exchange Karou Mitoma came close to giving De Zerbi's side some joy. It was from a set-piece that Brighton found relief. A free-kick on the left by Solomin March found Solly Dunk, alone, one step from the goal, in the six-yard box. He made no mistake and equalised. In the chaos of the final minutes, with Ansu Fati on the pitch, the victory could have stayed in Brighton, but Joao Pedro was unsuccessful.

Owen's words

After the match, former Liverpool player Michael Owen sent a message to Jurgen Klopp about how the team could get back into the title race they have been in contention for in 2020: “I think it is, for the rest of the Premier League, [for] the likes of Liverpool, and even Tottenham, who often don’t support Arsenal in a game. Man City are the team to beat this season. To take points off them brings everyone close together… We have some big teams in the Premier League. They have their eyes on the prize and they probably wanted Arsenal to win today. And they got their wish.”