LIVERPOOL PUT ON a dazzling display on Saturday afternoon to inflict Brighton’s heaviest home defeat since moving into the Amex Stadium six years ago with a complete 5-1 win.
Roberto Firmino starred alongside team-mates Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho in a front three which proved utterly devastating against a Brighton side which could not find a way back into the game despite a second-half penalty offering hope.
Firmino bagged a brace, while Coutinho managed two assists plus a goal of his own — a brilliant free-kick reminiscent of former Brazil international Ronaldinho under the wall 20 yards out from goal.
Emre Can gave Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead after half an hour with a powerful header, with Firmino adding two more either side of the break to send his side into a 3-0 lead.
Glenn Murray was unfortunate in front of goal, squandering a host of chances throughout a difficult afternoon for his side, but did offer hope with a 51st minute penalty following some josstling from Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson inside the box.
Any chance of an unlikely comeback was dashed three minutes from time with Coutinho steering a brilliant free-kick under the opposition wall, before the Liverpool number 10 was instrumental in Lewis Dunk’s own goal just a minute later.
Liverpool have now managed five wins in their last six Premier League outings, rising back into the Champions League places in fourth spot, while Brighton drop to 11th with just their second home defeat of the campaign.
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