Ekitike Brace Fires Liverpool to 2-0 Win Over Brighton.Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Ekitiké Brace Fires Reds to Crucial Premier League Victory
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Ekitiké Scores Twice as Salah Returns in Dramatic Anfield Win
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League 2025-26 | Saturday, 13 December 2025 | Anfield
Attendance: 60,429
Goals: Hugo Ekitiké 1', 60'
Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, as Hugo Ekitiké produced a brilliant brace and Mohamed Salah made a hugely anticipated return from the bench.
Ekitiké opened the scoring after just 46 seconds, capitalising on Brighton's defensive uncertainty to register the fastest Premier League goal of the 2025-26 season at that point. He then doubled Liverpool's advantage on the hour with a powerful header from Salah's corner.
The victory moved Liverpool up to sixth in the Premier League table with 26 points, while Brighton remained ninth on 23 points. The result also extended Liverpool's unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.
However, the scoreline did not tell the entire story. Brighton created opportunities and could have made the contest considerably more difficult for Arne Slot's side had they been more clinical in front of goal.
Salah Returns as Liverpool Face Brighton
The biggest talking point before kick-off was Mohamed Salah.
After a turbulent week following his public comments after Liverpool's draw at Leeds, Salah had been left out of the squad for the Champions League victory over Inter Milan. Following talks with Arne Slot, however, the Egyptian forward returned to the matchday squad against Brighton.
Salah initially started on the bench, with Hugo Ekitiké leading the Liverpool attack. The French forward was joined in an attacking line-up by Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool's supporters made their feelings clear, with Salah receiving a warm reception from the Anfield crowd when his name was heard around the stadium.
Liverpool Starting XI vs Brighton
Liverpool: Alisson; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz; Hugo Ekitiké.
Brighton: Bart Verbruggen; Matt O'Riley, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu; Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood; Yankuba Minteh, Brajan Gruda, Diego Gómez; Georginio Rutter.
Liverpool's substitutes included Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, Andy Robertson and Federico Chiesa.
First Half: Ekitiké Strikes Inside 46 Seconds
Liverpool could hardly have wished for a better start.
1' – GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Brighton
Just 46 seconds were on the clock when Ekitiké gave Liverpool the lead.
Brighton failed to deal with the ball effectively, Joe Gomez headed it into the danger area and Ekitiké reacted quickly before firing beyond Bart Verbruggen.
The finish gave Liverpool the fastest Premier League goal of the 2025-26 season at that stage and immediately put Brighton on the back foot.
The goal also underlined Ekitiké's growing confidence. His movement caused problems throughout the opening period, while his combination play with Wirtz offered Liverpool another attacking dimension.
Brighton Waste Chances
Despite falling behind early, Brighton did not collapse.
Fabian Hürzeler's side continued to find spaces and created several opportunities to equalise. Liverpool's defence was occasionally stretched, while Brighton's attacking players showed enough quality to threaten the hosts.
Ekitiké himself came close to adding another before half-time, while Liverpool continued to search for opportunities on the counter.
26' – Salah Comes On
Liverpool's plans changed when Joe Gomez was forced off through injury.
Mohamed Salah entered the match in the 26th minute, giving Anfield exactly what it had been waiting for.
His introduction immediately increased the attacking threat, with Salah looking sharp when Liverpool transitioned forward.
Liverpool went into half-time with a 1-0 advantage, but Brighton remained within touching distance.
Second Half: Salah Assists Ekitiké Again
Liverpool started the second half with greater control, while Brighton continued to search for an equaliser.
The visitors had moments when they threatened Alisson's goal, but Liverpool's defensive organisation improved as the match progressed.
Then came the decisive moment.
60' – GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Brighton
Salah delivered the perfect response to his dramatic return.
The Egyptian won the opportunity to deliver a corner and produced an excellent ball into the area. Ekitiké rose highest and powered his header beyond Verbruggen to make it Liverpool 2-0 Brighton.
It was Ekitiké's second goal of the afternoon and his 10th goal of the season.
The combination between Salah and Ekitiké was exactly what Liverpool supporters wanted to see.
Liverpool 2-0 Brighton: Premier League – As It Happened
Ekitike Brace Seals Vital Win for Reds Amid Salah Drama
Saturday 13 December 2025, Anfield, Liverpool Attendance: 60,429 Final Score: Liverpool 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion Goals: Hugo Ekitike 1', 60'
Defending Premier League champions Liverpool returned to winning ways with a convincing 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, thanks to a brace from summer signing Hugo Ekitike – including the fastest goal of the season after just 46 seconds. The result lifts Arne Slot's side to sixth in the table, leapfrogging Brighton who drop to ninth.
In a match overshadowed by the ongoing Mohamed Salah saga, the Egyptian made a dramatic return from the bench after a public fallout with the club, providing the assist for Ekitike's second goal from a corner and breaking a Premier League record in the process. Salah's involvement drew huge cheers from the Kop, offering a momentary respite in what has been a turbulent week for the Reds.
Liverpool had arrived into the fixture on the back of two draws and just one win in their previous five league games, sitting uncomfortably in mid-table despite their title defence. Brighton, two places higher on the same points heading into the weekend, posed a stern test with their organised, counter-attacking style under Fabian Hürzeler.
Pre-Match Build-Up and Team News
The spotlight was firmly on Mohamed Salah. Following his explosive post-match comments after a draw at Leeds – where he accused the club of "throwing him under the bus" and hinted at a breakdown in his relationship with manager Arne Slot – the 33-year-old had been benched for three games and omitted entirely from the squad for a midweek Champions League win at Inter Milan.
Slot confirmed talks with Salah on Friday, paving the way for his inclusion on the bench. The Egyptian King was greeted with his customary song from the Kop during warm-ups, a sign that fan support remains unwavering despite the off-field noise.
Line-ups: Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike. Subs: Salah, Isak, Robertson, Chiesa, etc.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Gruda, Gomez; Rutter.
Hugo Ekitike led the line for Liverpool, the £82m summer arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt looking to build on his promising start at Anfield.
First Half: Lightning Start and Brighton Chances
1' – GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Brighton (Hugo Ekitike) What a start! Straight from kick-off, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh miscontrols a pass back, Joseph Gomez heads forward, and Ekitike pounces – smashing a thumping finish past Bart Verbruggen after just 46 seconds. The fastest goal of the Premier League season so far! Anfield erupts.
The early strike set the tone for a dominant Liverpool display. Florian Wirtz and Alexis Mac Allister dictated midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai's energy providing thrust from the right.
Brighton, however, created the better chances to equalise. Diego Gomez twice went close, first missing a sitter at the back post and then surviving a VAR check for a high boot on Wirtz. Minteh also threatened on the counter, but Alisson remained untroubled.
26' – Substitution: Salah on for the injured Gomez Drama intensifies as Salah enters earlier than expected. The Kop sings his name loudly – a clear message of support amid the controversy.
Salah's introduction injected further life. He linked brilliantly with Mac Allister, nearly setting up Ekitike, and tracked back diligently – perhaps a response to recent criticisms about his work-rate in Slot's system.
Despite Liverpool's control, Brighton wasted golden opportunities. Gomez hit the post, and Brajan Gruda dragged wide. Halftime: 1-0, but it could have been level.
Second Half: Salah's Impact and Ekitike Seals It
Liverpool emerged with renewed purpose. Ekitike continued to cause problems, driving runs troubling Brighton's backline.
Brighton pushed for an equaliser, but their wastefulness in front of goal persisted. Kaoru Mitoma, introduced as a substitute, added pace but no end product.
60' – GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Brighton (Hugo Ekitike, assisted by Mohamed Salah) Game over! Salah, forceful in demanding the corner, whips in a perfect delivery, and Ekitike rises highest to power a header home. Towering finish from the Frenchman!
The goal not only sealed the points but marked history: Salah's assist took him to 277 Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool (188 goals, 89 assists), surpassing Wayne Rooney's record for a single club.
Anfield chanted Salah's name again, followed by one for Slot – a feel-good moment in a week of tension.
Late on, Ekitike was withdrawn with cramp – Slot later confirming it was precautionary, praising his adaptation to Premier League intensity. Alexander Isak came on but couldn't add a third.
Brighton huffed and puffed but never truly threatened Alisson again. Full-time: 2-0.
Post-Match Reactions and Analysis
Arne Slot: "A very good performance. We started perfectly and controlled the game. Hugo was excellent – he's progressing well. About Mo [Salah], we spoke, and he showed his quality today. No issue to resolve."
Hugo Ekitike (Man of the Match): "I'm happy to score twice and help the team. The first was quick – I just reacted! Mo's corner was perfect for the second."
On Salah's record-breaking assist: The Egyptian now heads to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt on a positive note, though questions linger over his long-term future at Anfield.
Key Observations:
Lightning Ekitike: The 23-year-old's brace underlines why Liverpool invested heavily. His physicality and finishing are tailor-made for Slot's high-intensity style.
Salah's Return: Impactful cameo quiets some noise, but the underlying issues from his outburst remain.
Brighton's Wastefulness: Excellent chances spurned – Diego Gomez will rue his misses.
Title Defence Back on Track?: Third win in five unbeaten games moves Liverpool to 26 points, closing the gap on the top four.
Defensive Solidity: Clean sheet, with Van Dijk and Konaté imperious.
This win provides breathing room for Slot amid a challenging season. With Salah departing for AFCON, the Reds face a busy festive period relying on Ekitike, Wirtz, and the midfield engine.
As 2025 draws to a close, Liverpool's champions show signs of rediscovering form. You'll Never Walk Alone rings out stronger than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored for Liverpool against Brighton?
Hugo Ekitiké scored both goals for Liverpool in the 2-0 victory, finding the net after 46 seconds and again in the 60th minute.
What was the Liverpool vs Brighton score?
Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 at Anfield on 13 December 2025.
Did Mohamed Salah play against Brighton?
Yes. Salah started on the bench before replacing the injured Joe Gomez in the 26th minute.
Did Salah assist Ekitiké?
Yes. Salah delivered the corner from which Ekitiké headed Liverpool's second goal in the 60th minute.
What record did Salah break?
Salah's assist took him to 277 Premier League goal involvements for Liverpool, surpassing Wayne Rooney's 276 for Manchester United for the most goal involvements by a player for a single club in Premier League history.
Where did Liverpool move after beating Brighton?
Liverpool moved up to sixth place with 26 points, while Brighton dropped to ninth with 23 points.
Who was Liverpool's man of the match?
Hugo Ekitiké was the standout performer after scoring both goals and providing Liverpool's main attacking threat throughout the match.
Liverpool Premier League Results 2025-26
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