The perfect day seemed to extend far beyond Liverpool as they trudged away battered and injured at half-time from a surging Brighton. But it was a perfect day for Arne Slot's side, who climbed back to the top of the Premier League thanks to a second-half change and another great goal from Mohamed Salah's collection.

Salah curled a trademark winner into the top corner of Bart Verbruggen's goal two minutes after Cody Gakpo canceled out Ferdi Kadioglu's first-half opener, passing Robbie Fowler as the eighth top scorer in the Premier League era. More importantly, Liverpool's two defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Arsenal leave them two points clear of the champions at the top and seven points ahead of Mikel Arteta's struggling side.

Brighton's narrow lead at the break flattered Liverpool enormously. Fabian Hürzeler's side were superior in every way and handled Liverpool's press with style and confidence. A two-goal lead would have better reflected the guests' dominance. The majority of the Anfield crowd were unable to contain their anger at the home performance and although it was rare, this was understandable given Slot's cheeks regularly puffed out in disbelief throughout the first half. It fueled the upcoming release.

Slow, sloppy and far too casual, Liverpool's performance in the first half played into the hands of a strong opponent. Brighton's central midfield of Jack Hinshelwood and Yasin Ayari completely outplayed their counterparts Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, as did the outstanding Kaoru Mitoma against Trent Alexander-Arnold. His wingmate Kadioglu also made an important contribution.

Darwin Núñez was close to giving the hosts an early lead when he collected a loose ball in the center circle, beat Kadioglu on his way to the penalty area and directed a lovely shot into the top corner. Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen made a fingertip save and had little trouble for the rest of the opening period.

Brighton's breakthrough highlighted their skill in possession. Ayari played a pass to Kadioglu, who spotted and found Mitoma in the free space on the left. The Japan international rolled the ball to Danny Welbeck in the penalty area and although his shot went behind Georginio Rutter, it fell perfectly to Kadioglu, who had continued his run into the penalty area. The Brighton winger fired his first-time shot past Caoimhín Kelleher and into the goal from the inside of the far post.

Rutter should have doubled the visitors' lead when he flawlessly slotted home a great pass from Ayari. The striker did well to fend off Virgil van Dijk's attention, but directed his shot straight at Kelleher. A routine but crucial save. Kadioglu could have scored Brighton's second goal when he was found unmolested at the back post by Mitoma's cross from the byline, but volleyed over the goal. Anfield made his feelings for a half-hearted challenge clear to Alexander-Arnold before Brighton collapsed. Welbeck sailed over the side netting with a free-kick that left Kelleher rooted to the spot and also dragged to the ground by Mac Allister as he advanced into the Liverpool penalty area following a free pass from Alexander-Arnold. However, the attack occurred just outside the penalty area and this time Welbeck's free kick was comfortable for the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Slot's problems continued after the half-time whistle when Ibrahima Konaté left the pitch with his arm in a sling. The central defender was replaced by Joe Gomez in the second half. It wasn't the only change Liverpool made. The home team restarted as they had to – they played with more aggression, speed and determination to turn the game around. Brighton, who were almost in full control before the break, held on long before the dam broke.

Gomez had a great chance within seconds of his arrival, but headed a Kostas Tsimikas free-kick straight at Verbruggen. The Brighton goalkeeper made two excellent saves as Liverpool came close to equalizing three times in as many minutes. He initially reacted well and deflected a diving header from Mac Allister that went into the bottom corner. Then, shortly after Van Dijk had failed Alexander-Arnold's brilliant cross six meters from goal, Verbruggen managed to get to Salah's chip after Núñez played his fellow striker on goal.

Brighton's goal was eventually denied by a bit of luck and Liverpool's persistence. Gakpo rolled in an inward cross from the left that narrowly missed the head of the impressive Jan Paul van Hecke and Núñez behind him before nestling inside the far post. Slot had minutes earlier introduced Curtis Jones and Luis Díaz, who moved to a midfield diamond, and his substitutions were instrumental in blowing the roof off Anfield when Liverpool struck again two minutes later.

Jones initiated a break from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, exchanging passes with Díaz before releasing Salah on the right. The Egyptian king did what he does best: he cut inside his opponent, in this case Pervis Estupiñán, and curled a stunning, unstoppable left-footed shot into the top corner. Somehow it goes up.