BRIGHTON. – Captain Lewis Dunk scored a dramatic equaliser for Brighton to deny Jurgen Klopp three points on his eighth anniversary as Liverpool boss in a 2-2 draw yesterday.
In an absorbing encounter, Simon Adingra fired past Alisson to give Brighton the lead after catching out Alexis Mac Allister, who was making his first return to his former club.
Klopp’s side levelled when Dunk’s misplaced pass ended with Darwin Nunez setting up Salah to sweep home, before Liverpool’s Egyptian forward struck from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. It was awarded after Pascal Gross dragged Dominik Szoboszlai down by his collar.
Liverpool missed a golden chance to increase their lead after substitute Ryan Gravenberch, on for Harvey Elliott at the start of the second half, hit the bar from close range when it seemed easier to score.
It proved a costly miss as Dunk made it 2-2 in the 78th minute with a first-time finish from Solly March’s free-kick.
In a thrilling game, Joao Pedro then missed a late chance to win it for the hosts, firing over when well-placed inside the box.
Brighton have made rapid progress under Roberto de Zerbi but there have been questions whether they can cope with balancing Europa League football with the rigours of the Premier League.
They are without a win in four games in all competitions but, for the second time this week, the Seagulls left the pitch to a standing ovation from their supporters after refusing to lie down.
Having fought back from 2-0 down to draw their Europa League encounter with Marseille 2-2 in France on Thursday, De Zerbi’s side produced another spirited performance to rescue a point.
Liverpool looked to be on their way to victory after bouncing back from going behind to Adingra’s goal, only for Dunk to atone for his earlier error and ensure Brighton avoided back-to-back league defeats going into the international break.
It might have been even better but Pedro’s composure let him down, and De Zerbi was booked by referee Anthony Taylor for protesting after his side were denied a penalty when Kaoru Mitoma’s attempt flicked up off Virgil van Dijk’s leg and on to the defender’s arm. – BBC Sport