Liverpool 2-1 Brighton: Player Ratings

Liverpool came back from conceding early to beat Brighton 2-1, with former Seagull Alexis Mac Allister stealing the show at Anfield.

It was a nightmare start for the Reds, who went behind inside two minutes thanks to a venomous strike from former Manchester United and Arsenal man Danny Welbeck.

Liverpool were able to regroup and start piling on the pressure down the other end - finally finding a reprieve in the 27th minute as Luis Diaz volleyed home to level the score.

After going into the break on terms, Liverpool pressed for a second and found luck through a fantastic fast-paced move - Dominik Szoboszlai drilling one into the feet of Mac Allister, who slipped through Mohamed Salah to finish.

The Reds appeared to have got their third after Diaz forced home - only for the Colombian to be deemed a millimetre offside by VAR.

It meant they had to endure a nervy final period, with former Reds star Adam Lallana seeing his late effort flash just past the far post.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side were able to see out the result, sending them to the top of the league ahead of this afternoon's mammoth clash between title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

Here are the Liverpool player ratings from the contest.

Caoimhin Kelleher (GK): 6

Nothing he could do about the opener as Welbeck lashed it into the top corner. Wasn't too busy for much of the game but called into action with 10 minutes to go, tipping Lewis Dunk's header around the post. However, was lucky not to be punished for spilling another Dunk header from the resulting corner.

Conor Bradley (RB): 6

Caught napping for the opener as Simon Adingra burst into space that should have been covered by the Northern Irishman. Continued to struggle in his personal battles with the Brighton winger as the Seagulls that right-hand side, which became a real concern at times in the first-half. Redeeming factor was his attacking contributions, constantly getting involved going forward.

Jarell Quansah (CB): 7

Found himself slightly exposed as Brighton tried to punish Liverpool down that flank. Much better after the break, getting control of the dangerous Adingra.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 6

Poor clearance allowed Welbeck to pounce for Brighton's opening goal. Became increasingly assured as the game continued.

Joe Gomez (LB): 8

Solid at left-back, getting out quickly to challenges and putting the pressure on high up the field. Whipped in a lovely ball for Mac Allister after the break that was just too high for the Argentinian.

Wataru Endo (DM): 7

A warrior in midfield as he so often is, always putting in challenges and cleaning up when necessary. Made a vital block to deny Adingra immediately after Liverpool's equaliser - there was an offside earlier in the phase so it wouldn't have counted, but he wasn't to know that.

Dominik Szoboszlai (CM): 7

Kept play ticking in the middle of the park but wasn't always heavily involved in the first-half. Vital contribution after the break as he drilled one across to Mac Allister in the build-up for Liverpool's second.

Alexis Mac Allister (CM): 10

Superb on all fronts from the Argentinian - winning the ball well, using possession exceptionally and even firing a shot away here and there. Unlucky to get an early booking thanks to the ineptitude of David Coote, but that didn't stop him from being far and away the best player on the pitch. Flashed a header past the post after the break, before trapping Szoboszlai's drilled pass and slotting Salah through for Liverpool's vital second. Flawless.

Mohamed Salah (RW): 6

Looked to have started brightly as Liverpool sought to bounce back from conceding an early goal, appearing sharp off the ball. However, he did not have his shooting boots on for the first-half, producing a shower of wayward finishes when finding himself in a good positions. One tame pea-roller while in on goal was particularly out of the ordinary. Redeemed himself after the interval as he slotted home to give Liverpool the lead.

Darwin Nunez (ST): 6

Took a while to get into the game but began to make himself a presence towards the tail-end of the first 45, nearly scoring with an unorthdox swipe at the ball while grounded. Continued to threaten throughout the second-half before being subbed.

Luis Diaz (LW): 8

Quiet first 25 minutes but was Johnny on the Spot for the equaliser, pouncing on a misjudged Veltman clearance to volley home brilliantly. From then on, was a bundle of energy down that left flank. Could have had a second if he wasn't found millimetres offside. Tireless performance, subbed late on.

Substitutes

Harvey Elliott (Nunez, 83'): 7

Instantly involved as he flicked on a corner towards the back post - it just needed a touch. A short cameo but a strong one nonetheless.

Cody Gakpo (Diaz, 89'): N/A

An Anfield appearance on Easter Sunday.

Ryan Gravenberch (Szoboszlai, 90+4'): N/A

Gravenberch returns from injury for the first time since the Carabao Cup final.

display-posts posts_per_page="3" image_size="medium" wrapper="div" wrapper_class="display-posts-listing grid" include_date="true" include_author="true" category="features"]