Liverpool Player Ratings vs Brighton: Hugo Ekitike Scores Twice as Mo Salah Returns

Mohamed Salah's return to the Liverpool squad saw him initially on the bench, but Hugo Ekitike stole the show by scoring the fastest Premier League goal of the season so far against Brighton. A misplaced cross-field pass by Yankuba Minteh was headed by Joe Gomez to Ekitike, who controlled the ball and unleashed a powerful volley past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after just 46 seconds.

Anfield erupted again in the 25th minute when, due to an injury to Gomez, Salah entered the game. With almost his first touch, Salah set up Alexis Mac Allister for a chance. Florian Wirtz and Ryan Gravenberch also had opportunities for Liverpool, but they failed to convert, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.

Brighton threatened to equalize early in the second half. Gomez, fortunate to avoid a red card before halftime for a high challenge on Wirtz, slid in to meet a low cross but his effort struck the post. Liverpool responded and doubled their lead on the hour mark. Salah's curling corner was met by Ekitike, who headed home to give Liverpool a 2-0 advantage.

As the clock wound down, Salah had a chance to add a third goal before his international duty. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he blasted his shot over the bar in stoppage time, and Liverpool settled for a 2-0 victory.