Hugo Ekitike scores twice in Liverpool’s win against Brighton

Liverpool returned to victories in the Premier League with a 2-0 home win over Brighton at Anfield, thanks to a decisive brace from French striker Hugo Ekitike.

He struck after less than a minute, punishing a defensive mistake, then added a second goal in the 60th minute with a powerful header from a Mohamed Salah corner, taking Liverpool to 26 points and sixth place, while Brighton slipped to ninth on 23 points.​

Ekitiké was a constant threat, missing a couple of chances between his two goals but always stretching Brighton’s back line with his movement. Brighton responded with dangerous efforts from Rutter, Diego Gomez and Groda, only to be denied by Alisson or by shots drifting just wide of the posts.​

Liverpool suffered an early blow when Joe Gomez went off injured in the first half, which opened the door for Salah’s much-anticipated return after recent off-field noise. Pushed into his usual right-wing role, Salah immediately injected energy, creating several chances for Alexis Mac Allister and Ekitiké and later testing goalkeeper Verbruggen himself.​

As the game wore on, both coaches turned to their benches: Brighton’s substitutes Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma chased a way back, while Liverpool’s late changes, including Robertson and Isak, helped close the game out. Brighton threatened through Wever and Kadioglu in the closing minutes, but Salah missed a golden chance to make it 3-0 before Liverpool calmly saw out the win.