There was drama, goals and a little controversy on the south coast (Pictures: Getty / Sky Sports)
Brighton supporters could not resist teasing Liverpool over last week’s VAR controversy when they themselves were aggrieved by a non-decision in Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw.
The Seagulls went ahead at the Amex Stadium after some sloppy play from the visitors, with Alexis Mac Allister robbed by Simon Adingra who spotted Alisson out of position and fired off an early shot that snuck past the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Liverpool looked lacklustre and lethargic and were rather fortunate not to fall further behind, only for a quick-fire brace from Mohamed Salah on the stroke of half-time to flip the game on its head.
A wonderfully quick counter-attack and slick interplay saw Harvey Elliot run over the ball and leave it for Salah, who calmly stroked the ball into the far corner.
Moments later, some careless passing out from the back was pounced on and Dominik Szoboszlai was pulled back just as he was about to shoot by Pascal Gross, with Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot.
Salah stepped up and again made no mistake, with the Merseysiders surviving an onslaught at times in the first half to go into the break with a one-goal lead.
They should really have put the game to bed not long after the restart when the excellent Szoboszlai darted down the right and fizzed a stunning cross across the face of the goal, only for substitute Ryan Gravenberch to smash his effort against the crossbar.
Dunk rescued a deserved point for Brighton on Sunday (Picture: Getty)
Brighton’s threat slowly returned as the half progressed and there were calls for a penalty of their own when the ball smashed off the outstretched arm of Virgil van Dijk.
Half the Brighton team stopped playing in order to appeal for handball while there were huge cries from the crowd, but referee Taylor gestured that the ball had ricocheted up off Van Dijk’s thigh first.
Brighton boss Roberto Di Zerbi, who had immediately consulted a tablet to review the incident, was so furious he earned himself a yellow card, while the supporters began chanting, ‘We want a replay’ in reference to what happened at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.
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Liverpool were, of course, incorrectly denied a legitimate goal against Spurs and manager Jurgen Klopp called for a replay afterwards – something the Brighton fans enjoyed mocking during Sunday’s match.
Brighton did eventually get an equaliser, though, with a devilish free-kick into the box tapped home by Lewis Dunk, and they should have claimed all three points when Joao Pedro blazed a gilt-edged chance high over the bar from close range.
Liverpool will have their own grievances from the match, with Gross very fortunate to escape a red card for his shirt pull on Szoboszlai which appeared to represent denial of a goalscoring opportunity given he made no attempt to play the ball.
MORE : ‘We are over it’ – Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says his replay comments were misunderstood
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