Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Clinical Isak fires Reds to first home win of the season

Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Clinical Isak fires Reds to first home win of the season Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, securing their first home win of the season. The Reds started brightly and were the first to threaten as Alexander Isak fed Cody Gakpo, who fired straight at Bart Verbruggen. However, Brighton created the game’s first big chance when Pascal Gross slipped Yasin Ayari. The midfielder looked set to tap into an empty net, but blazed over. The Seagulls were punished as Liverpool took the lead at the other end, with Gross deflecting Florian Wirtz’s shot into his own net. Moments later, Cody Gakpo almost doubled the lead as he drove into the box before forcing Verbruggen to make a low diving save. The Dutch goalkeeper could not prevent Alexander Isak from extending the hosts’ lead in the 21st minute, guiding Bradley Barcola’s low cross home. Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet’s brilliant defensive block prevented Brighton from pulling one back before the half-hour mark. Ayari then struck the woodwork with a curling effort as Brighton continued to push to fight their way into the contest. The south coast club finished the first half as the stronger side, but Liverpool held firm to preserve their two-goal advantage. Brighton dominated possession at the start of the second half and threatened when Luka Vuskovic headed an inswinging cross off target. Substitute Trey Nyoni then made a brilliant clearance to deny Brighton a promising opportunity. Liverpool fashioned two chances in quick succession at the other end. Gakpo’s effort was deflected behind for a corner before Lewis Dunk cleared the Dutchman’s cross towards Isak. Vuskovic had Verbruggen to thank as he almost passed into his own net, but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to recover possession before clearing it. Liverpool saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to claim all three points. Andoni Iraola’s side will host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before welcoming Arsenal to Anfield next Sunday.