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Liverpool are at the top thanks to 'Mo Salah Special' as their rivals falter


Liverpool are at the top thanks to 'Mo Salah Special' as their rivals falter

Liverpool coach Arne Slot hailed a “Mo Salah special” as the Egyptian striker's goal came from behind to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 and go top of the Premier League on Saturday.

Salah secured the points for Liverpool at Anfield, giving Arne Slot's side two points clear of injury-hit champions Manchester City, who lost in the league for the first time in 11 months and suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth .

A dream day for Liverpool was crowned by title rivals Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

Liverpool fell behind after 14 minutes against Brighton when Turkish international Ferdi Kadioglu put the visitors under control with a stunning attack.

Slot's side struggled to get back on level terms but were given a break when Cody Gakpo's cross went straight into the net in the 69th minute, lifting spirits.

Three minutes later, Salah fired a stunning shot into the goal from the right side of the penalty area and that was enough.

“The second goal was a special goal from Mo Salah,” Slot told BBC Sport. “It’s not the first nor the last time he scores from this position.”

Slot had the best start of any new Liverpool manager since replacing Jurgen Klopp and Saturday's win was his side's 13th in 15 games in all competitions.

Slot's eight wins in his first ten Premier League games are also the most ever by a Liverpool manager in his first ten games as a manager in the top flight.

While City and Arsenal's defeats were a bonus, the Dutchman said he only cared about his own team.

“Not because of these results but it feels special because we played against Arsenal last week, a very strong team,” he said.

“Today we faced the same quality and understanding of football and both times we had to come from behind to get a result. That’s what makes my day, not so much the results from other games.”

The only downside to the day was that centre-back Ibrahima Konaté was out at half-time with an apparent arm injury.

Konate left the pitch with a grimace of pain, using his shirt as a makeshift sling for his left arm after teammate Virgil van Dijk appeared to accidentally step on his forearm following a corner.

Slot said it was too early to assess the severity of the injury but hoped the defenseman would not need an extended break.

“We don’t know yet. He was in a lot of pain, but he hasn't been to the hospital yet, and maybe it's not even necessary to go to the hospital, I don't know,” Slot said at his post-game press conference.

“It is always difficult to assess an injury in the first hour or 10 minutes afterwards. Let’s hope he can be with us as soon as possible because he has had a big impact on our season so far.”

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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