Liverpool drew 2-2 at Brighton and Hove Albion, and Lewis Dunk’s goal in the second half prevented them from moving up to second place in the standings.
After Simon Adingra’s magnificent Brighton opening goal, Mohamed Salah scored twice to tie the score, but Dunk’s goal off of a Solly March free kick ensured a share of the spoils.
After 20 minutes, Brighton took the lead when one of their former players, Alexis Mac Allister, was caught on his heels, allowing Simon Adingra to intercept a pass from Virgil van Dijk and fool an unprepared Alisson with a long-range finish.
But just before halftime, Liverpool changed the game with two goals that came on consecutive plays.
Prior to Darwin Nunez setting up Salah for the goal, Mac Allister intercepted a loose pass by Dunk to initiate a quick team play involving five players. While not directly involved, Harvey Elliott displayed excellent awareness to misdirect Nunez’s pass and give Salah, who was in a better position, the opportunity to take the shot.
Salah converted a penalty for Liverpool in first-half stoppage time after Pascal Gross lost control inside his own box and fouled Dominik Szoboszlai.
It brought Salah’s total for the Premier League to 144 goals, tying him with Robin van Persie for 13th on the list of all-time leading scorers. It also means that he has been directly involved in 14 goals in 13 Premier League games against Brighton, the only team with a better record than him being Manchester United.
Prior to Ryan Gravenberch, a halftime Liverpool substitute, hitting the crossbar from close range following a cross by Szoboszlai, Alisson made a significant save early in the second half to prevent Adingra from scoring a second goal.
The Seagulls could have, and perhaps should have, won it, but for Brighton’s 78th-minute goal off a Solly March free kick that Dunk converted.
Adingra entered from the right side and crossed for Joao Pedro, who was unable to control his close-range shot.
Liverpool missed the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Tottenham Hotspur to just one point after losing their 17-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League last weekend. With 17 points, they are third, three fewer than Spurs.
Brighton now has 16 points, placing them sixth after their first draw of the year.
