Brighton & Hove Albion crest
Brighton & Hove Albion

Murray pen 51

FT
1 - 5
Premier League
15:00 Sat 2nd Dec 2017
Liverpool FC crest
Liverpool FC

Can 30
Firmino 32, 48
Coutinho 87, 89

15:00 Sat 2nd Dec 2017
15:00 Sat 2nd Dec 2017

Brighton v Liverpool: Matchday blog

Follow all the action before, during and after the game as Liverpool take on Brighton in the Premier League at the American Express Stadium.

Post-match

Read all about it

The story of another big win for the Reds is up on Liverpoolfc.com - read it here.

Post-match

Stats all, folks

Have a look at the numbers from that game with our Opta widgets.

Full Time

Brighton 1-5 Liverpool

What a performance from the Reds.

Two goals apiece for Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho but it was Emre Can's header from a set-piece that provided the platform for Liverpool to run riot.

90

Substitution

Jordan Henderson is replaced by Marko Grujic as the game ticks into injury time.

89

Goal

Brighton 1-5 Liverpool (Coutinho)

Two in two minutes from the Reds' No.10... possibly.

He cuts inside into a dangerous position at the edge of the box and lets fly but the ball is diverted in by Lewis Dunk's head as the defender attempts to clear.

It'll be interesting to see whether Coutinho is awarded that strike but he can certainly have it for now!

88

Substitution

Firmino gets a few minutes of deserved rest as he makes way for Solanke.

87

Goal

Brighton 1-4 Liverpool (Coutinho)

That's genius.

Coutinho wins a free-kick at the edge of the Brighton box and dusts himself down before rolling it under the jumping wall to make it four for the Reds. 

84

Izquierdo thinks he's in on goal after a quick one-two gets him into the box but Alexander-Arnold has other ideas.

The Scouser produces a brilliant sliding block and the Reds get the ball away.

83

Match shot

Firmino celebrates his second.

79

Substitution

Mohamed Salah's afternoon is over as he is replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

I can't believe he hasn't scored!

77

Substitution

Bruno makes way to be replaced by Ezequiel Schelotto.

Meanwhile, Emre Can is fine to continue for the Reds after a short spell of treatment.

73

Murray goes close with a scooped shot following a knockdown in the box.

And it looks like Emre Can has picked up an injury during that passage of play the German is receiving treatment as we speak.

70

Substitution

A double substitution for Brighton, with Izzy Brown and Anthony Knockaert making way for Solly March and Jose Izquierdo.

68

Liverpool break again but Coutinho is offside when played in by Firmino on the left-hand side of the box.

It's a good job in truth, as the Brazilian's finish rattles off the foot of the post.

65

Firmino nicks the ball high up the pitch and picks out Salah inside the Brighton box.

The Egyptian's finish is straight at Ryan, however, and the hosts get away with one.

61

Yellow Card

Robertson gets to the ball ahead of Bruno and gets clattered - that's a booking.

59

The home crowd really getting behind Brighton now, Liverpool have to be careful they don't give the hosts any encouragement.

51

Goal

Brighton 1-3 Liverpool (Murray pen)

The Reds clear a ball into the box but play is pulled back after the referee spots a push in what appears to be two Brighton players coming together.

Murray steps up and hammers his spot-kick into the top corner to reduce the arrears.

48

Goal

Brighton 0-3 Liverpool (Firmino)

Wow, talk about turning defence into attack.

Mignolet produces a stunning reflex save when Murray looks certain to sidefoot a cross from the left home and seconds later Liverpool are on the attack.

Salah runs at pace before sliding in Firmino, who coolly converts inside the box.

46

Kick-Off

Brighton get the game restarted, with Liverpool attacking the end housing their own fans this half.

Half-time

Match shot

Firmino slots the second goal home.

Half-time

The first half in numbers

Take a look at the stats from the opening 45 minutes with our Opta widget below.

Half-time

Shouting the odds

Here's what BETVICTOR think with the Reds 2-0 up.

Brighton 75/1
Draw 14/1
Liverpool 1/50

Click here to place your bet now.

Half Time

Brighton 0-2 Liverpool

So far so good for the Reds at the Amex Stadium.

Goals from Can and Firmino have Liverpool ahead at the break here.

40

Liverpool continuing to probe in the aftermath of their quickfire double but no clear cut chances as of yet.

Brighton's attempts to spring counters are being given short shrift, too, leading to frustration in the home crowd.

32

Goal

Brighton 0-2 Liverpool (Firmino)

Two goals in two minutes for the Reds and this one is a peach.

Salah bears down on the hosts' defence before picking out Coutinho just inside the box and the Brazilian produces a perfect first-time, left-footed cross to the back post where Firmino is waiting to do the rest.

Get in!

30

Goal

Brighton 0-1 Liverpool (Can)

A welcome breakthrough from a set-piece. 

Can rises highest to meet Coutinho's corner delivery and powers a header beyond Ryan in the Brighton goal

21

Coutinho chips a perfect pass in behind for Alexander-Arnold but the defender can't keep his cross down.

Brighton keeping Liverpool at arm's length so far.

17

Big chance for Brighton as a cross deflects into the path of Murray in the box.

Thankfully, the striker is falling as he attempts to shoot and can only direct his effort over the crossbar.

10

Match shot

A Roberto Firmino sandwich in the Brighton box.

5

A Coutinho cross takes a kind deflection toward Salah but the Egyptian can't finish from a tight angle.

Firmino meets the subsequent corner but his header is over the bar when he might have done better.

1

Kick-Off

Liverpool get the game under way.

Pre-match

Here they come

The players take to the pitch here in Brighton and we are moments away from kick-off.

Pre-match

A reminder of the line-ups...

Pre-match

Boss on team selection...

Jürgen Klopp has explained the thinking behind making six changes to his starting line-up for today's game. You can read his thoughts by clicking here.

Pre-match

Inside the away dressing room...

Pre-match

Here come the boys...

Pre-match

Team news

Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Can, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Sturridge, Grujic, Klavan, Mane, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke.

Pre-match

Shouting the odds...

Here are the latest match prices from Bet Victor...

Brighton - 13/2
Draw - 17/5
Liverpool FC - 1/2

Click here to place a bet

Pre-match

'They move the ball forward with real pace'

Brighton boss Chris Hughton has paid tribute to the Reds' offensive threat in his matchday programme notes.

He wrote: "We will certainly need to find the required levels this afternoon against a Liverpool side that are up there with Manchester City in terms of their offensive play this season.

"They move the ball forward with real pace and purpose, with the quality they have at their disposal, and can turn defence into attack very quickly."

Pre-match

Man on duty

Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks to the media after arriving at the Amex Stadium.

Pre-match

Ready to go...

The Amex on matchday morning.

Pre-match

Weather

It's time...

For your first weather update of the day, courtesy of your friends here at Liverpoolfc.com.

It's chilly here on the south coast, with the temperature at kick-off likely to be around five degrees.

At least it's expected to stay dry, though.

Pre-match

The view from Brighton

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton was effusive in his praise of the Premier League's top goalscorer.

"He’ll be difficult to face that’s for sure. He’s been in good form for the last few seasons but most people in England may not have been so aware of that," said Hughton.

"At the moment he’s outstanding - he started on the bench on Wednesday and still managed to come on and score two goals, and that shows the real quality he has.

"He scores different types of goals as well. We’re very conscious of both his form and his abilities ahead of Saturday."

Pre-match

Remember Mo Salah's volley at Stoke on Wednesday night?

Of course you do. Well, here it is from every glorious angle...

Pre-match

That victory in the Potteries took the Reds' goal tally for the season to 50 from just 22 games.

We caught up with Emre Can at Melwood on Friday, and the midfielder spoke to us about Liverpool's 'unbelievable' attacking players, the test Brighton will pose today and the packed December fixture schedule.

Read our exclusive chat with the Germany international here

Pre-match

Last time out...

Pre-match

Did you know...

That Simon Mignolet could make his 150th Premier League appearance for Liverpool today?

Joe Gomez, meanwhile, could play the 50th game of his club career.

Pre-match

Take a look at our exclusive, behind-the-scenes 'Inside Training' video below to see how the Reds have been preparing for this afternoon's game at Melwood...

Pre-match

It's our first league meeting with Brighton today since 1983 - but we've played against the Seagulls several times in cup competitions since then, most recently in 2012.

On that occasion, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard were on the mark in a 6-1 FA Cup victory.

Click here to find out how we've got on in our last five games against Brighton...

Pre-match

Jürgen Klopp held his pre-match press conference at Melwood yesterday.

He revealed Joel Matip will miss today's game due to injury and spoke about man of the moment Mo Salah.

Catch up with the boss' media briefing in full below...

Pre-match

Good morning and welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's live matchday blog.

The Reds travel to Brighton and Hove Albion looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions by building on Wednesday's 3-0 victory at Stoke City.

Stay right here for the best coverage of all the build-up, action and reaction from the Amex Stadium.

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