For Liverpool, this match against Brighton felt like much more than just another Premier League fixture. It felt like a test of belief, a test of nerve, and perhaps most importantly, a test of whether Arne Slot’s Liverpool were finally ready to turn noise, chaos, and uncertainty into something solid. Coming into the game, the Reds were unbeaten in four matches, but even that run felt fragile. It felt like something that could snap at any moment. Only back-to-back wins would truly convince players, fans, and critics alike that a corner had been turned. By the final whistle at Anfield, Liverpool had their answer.
This was not a perfect performance, and it was not a quiet evening either, but it was effective, controlled when it needed to be, and symbolic in many ways. A Hugo Ekitike double delivered the points. A Mohamed Salah cameo delivered calm. And Arne Slot delivered something even more valuable than tactics or substitutions. He delivered belief.
Liverpool started the game knowing exactly what was required. Brighton are never an easy opponent. They are organised, brave on the ball, and always ready to punish hesitation. But Liverpool did not hesitate. They exploded into life from the very first moment. Before many fans had even settled into their seats, the ball was in the net. Forty-six seconds. That was all it took.
The goal came in a way that summed up Liverpool’s intent. Direct, sharp, ruthless. Joe Gomez rose to meet a ball and guided a controlled header into the danger area. Hugo Ekitike reacted faster than anyone else. He did not hesitate. He did not overthink. He simply smashed the ball home from close range. Anfield erupted. Relief mixed with excitement. The kind of release that only comes when tension has been building for weeks.
For Arne Slot, that early goal felt like oxygen. Confidence has been Liverpool’s biggest issue this season. When things go wrong, they tend to unravel quickly. When things go right, they still look over their shoulders, waiting for something bad to happen. Scoring early allowed them to breathe. It allowed them to play.
But Brighton did not fold. They responded with courage and quality. Diego Gomez found himself through on goal after a clever ball in behind from Yankuba Minteh. For a brief moment, Anfield held its breath. Alisson Becker, once again, proved why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He stood tall, stayed calm, and produced a fine one-on-one save to deny Brighton an equaliser. It was a reminder that Liverpool still rely heavily on their goalkeeper when things get uncomfortable.